Monitoring bone mass, bone density and bone geometry in children and adolescents

Abstract

The number of articles dealing with pediatric bone mass measurements has flourished during the last decade. The reasons include the awareness that bone gained early in life is an important factor in determining the risk of osteoporosis later in life and the expanding number of pediatric diseases associated with low bone mass. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry is the most common method for measurement of bone mineral content or bone mineral density. Quantitative computed tomography and quantitative ultrasound are the emerging techniques which offer the possibility of measuring bone mineral content, bone mineral density and quantitative ultrasound parameters that are unique to children and will be discussed in this review. The interpretation of bone mass measurements is also often difficult in growing individuals and the peculiar aspects pertaining to this problem are examined.

Keywords::

• adolescents
• bone density
• bone health
• bone mass
• children
• dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
• osteoporosis
• quantitative tomography
• quantitative ultrasound