title: Bone ultrasound velocity in pediatric intensive care unit: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone loss has been documented in adults in intensive care wards. Children admitted to pediatric intensive care units (PICU) are also exposed to many potential risk factors for bone loss such as immobilization, catabolic state, and nutritional depletion. Quantitative ultrasound technique that measures speed of sound (SOS) correlates with bone mineral density (BMD) and strength. Herein is a clinical prospective longitudinal, observational pilot study to evaluate early bone changes that occur during the first few days of PICU admission.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children are hospitalized in a pediatric intensive under general anesthesia and muscle paralysis. Bone SOS at the mid-shaft tibia was measured on the first day of hospitalization and on days 2 to 3 thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nineteen children were studied. Bone SOS decreased during the first 3 days of hospitalization from 3,297 ± 315 to 3,260 ± 311 m/min (p < 0.05). The decrease was approximately 1% of the original SOS over the first 2 to 3 days of admission.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant decrease in bone strength after 3 days in pediatric patients admitted to an intensive care department. Longitudinal studies of a larger group of children are necessary to determine the clinical meaning of the results and to possibly evaluate preventive approaches.
authors.forename: Ayelet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zerem
authors.forename: Francis B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Mimouni
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Pulmonary Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, affiliated to The Hebrew University School of Medicine and Pediatric department, Jerusalem 91031, Israel. Picard@szmc.org.il.
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Picard
authors.forename: Sarit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shahroor