[Bone mineral density determination by osteosonography in healthy children and adolescents: normal values].
BACKGROUND
Osteoporosis is a frequent health problem in adults. Optimization of bone mass acquisition during childhood and adolescence may play a major role in the prevention of this disease. Osteosonography is a recent technique for measuring bone mineralization without exposing the patient to radiation.


OBJECTIVE
To measure bone mineral density using osteosonography in healthy Spanish Caucasian children and adolescents in order to determine normal values.


METHODS
We performed a cross sectional study of 829 healthy child and adolescent volunteers (360 girls and 469 boys) randomly selected from the urban area of Pamplona in Navarre (Spain). Ages ranged from 6 to 18 years. ADBM Sonic 1200 ultrasound densitometer from IGEA was used. Daily calcium dietary intake and amount of physical activity were recorded.


RESULTS
Cross sectional standards for Ad-SOS are presented. Ad-SOS did not significantly change between the ages of 6 and 9 years in girls or until the age of 10 years in boys. From the ages of 10 to 14 years, Ad-SOS values were higher in girls than in boys. After the age of 14 years, no significant differences were found. No correlation was found between calcium dietary intake, amount of physical exercise or bone mineralization values.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of Ad-SOS by osteosonography is an easy, fast and inexpensive method for measuring bone mineral density in children and adolescents without exposing them to radiation. It can be used in the pediatric population to detect early alterations in bone mineralization.
Gimeno Ballester
J
J
Unidad de Endocrinología Pediátrica. Departamento de Pediatría. Clínica Universitaria deNavarra. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Navarra.
Azcona San Julián
C
C
Sierrasesúmaga Ariznabarreta
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography