title: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in early life.
abstract: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a safe and quick technique, and requires little cooperation from the patient. DXA has therefore been introduced progressively in paediatrics and neonatology to study bone mineral content and body composition. The limits of DXA are related mainly to accuracy, and it is too early to claim that DXA is a 'gold standard' technique for body composition research. However, DXA appears to be an adequate tool for measuring bone mass and body composition in the clinical setting, and it represents the best technical choice for paediatric use to date.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lapillonne
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Braillon
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Delmas
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Salle
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001823:Body Composition; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity