[Usefulness of ultrasound in the assessment of bone mineralization in newborns].
BACKGROUND
The study of bone mineralization in the neonatal period and of bone disease is receiving increasing interest. Osteosonography is a new method for measuring bone mineralization without exposing the patient to radiation.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the speed of ultrasound in healthy newborns, the possible variations in preterm infants, and their relationship with gestational age and anthropometry.


METHODS
One-hundred newborns (53 term infants [26 males, 27 females] and 47 preterm infants [27 males and 20 females]) were studied. The variables measured were gestational age, length, weight, circumferences (head and thoracic) and amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SOS). A prior study was carried out to select the area of measurement with ultrasound between both femora and humeri.


RESULTS
No significant differences in Ad-SOS were found between the right and left femora or humeri, but there were significant differences between femora and humeri (p 0.001). The mean Ad-SOS in the population was 1706.6 36.3 m/s. Ad-SOS was 1726 26.2 m/s in term infants and 1679 36.7 m/s in preterm infants; this difference was statistically significant. Correlations were also found between Ad-SOS and gestational age and anthropometric variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Ad-SOS is an effective method for bone mineralization screening in newborns and for detecting postnatal changes.
Casanova Román
M
M
Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario de Puerto Real. Cátedra de Pediatría. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Cadiz. Spain. mcasanova@arrakis.es
Gutiérrez Barrios
P
P
Ferriz Mas
B
B
Casanova Bellido
M
M
D000886:Anthropometry; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography