title: Amalgamated Reference Data for Size-Adjusted Bone Densitometry Measurements in 3598 Children and Young Adults-the ALPHABET Study.
abstract: The increasing use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in children has led to the need for robust reference data for interpretation of scans in daily clinical practice. Such data need to be representative of the population being studied and be "future-proofed" to software and hardware upgrades. The aim was to combine all available pediatric DXA reference data from seven UK centers to create reference curves adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, and body size to enable clinical application, using in vivo cross-calibration and making data back and forward compatible. Seven UK sites collected data on GE Lunar or Hologic Scanners between 1996 and 2012. Males and females aged 4 to 20 years were recruited (n = 3598). The split by ethnic group was white 2887; South Asian 385; black Afro-Caribbean 286; and mixed heritage 40. Scans of the total body and lumbar spine (L1to L4) were obtained. The European Spine Phantom was used to cross-calibrate the 7 centers and 11 scanners. Reference curves were produced for L1to L4bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) and total body less head (TBLH) and L1to L4areal bone mineral density (aBMD) for GE Lunar Prodigy and iDXA (sex- and ethnic-specific) and for Hologic (sex-specific). Regression equations for TBLH BMC were produced using stepwise linear regression. Scans of 100 children were randomly selected to test backward and forward compatibility of software versions, up to version 15.0 for GE Lunar and Apex 4.1 for Hologic. For the first time, sex- and ethnic-specific reference curves for lumbar spine BMAD, aBMD, and TBLH aBMD are provided for both GE Lunar and Hologic scanners. These curves will facilitate interpretation of DXA data in children using methods recommended in ISCD guidelines. The databases have been created to allow future updates and analysis when more definitive evidence for the best method of fracture prediction in children is agreed. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Crabtree
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Child Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.affiliation: Radiology and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Judith E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: M Zulf
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Mughal
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Child Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arundel
authors.affiliation: Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, University College London, Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mary S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fewtrell
authors.affiliation: Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: S Faisal
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Imaging, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Laura A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Treadgold
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Högler
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Bebbington
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Bone Health, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Cambridge, UK.|MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
authors.forename: Kate A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D049628:Body Size; D015519:Bone Density; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003720:Densitometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: BMC; BMD; DXA; LEAN MASS; PEDIATRIC; REFERENCE