Brazilian pediatric reference data for quantitative ultrasound of phalanges according to gender, age, height and weight.

Ezequiel Moreira Gonçalves,Keila Donassolo Santos,Nélio Neves Veiga-Junior,Pedro Augusto Rodrigues Medaets,Wellington Roberto Gomes De Carvalho,Adrielle Caroline Lace De Moraes Coelho,Tathyane Krahenbühl,Anderson Marques De Moraes,Everton Paulo Roman,Roberto Régis Ribeiro ,André Moreno Morcillo ,Letícia Espósito Sewaybricker ,Antônio De Azevedo Barros Filho ,Gil Guerra‐Júnior

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127294

Abstract

AimsTo establish normative data for phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measures in Brazilian students.MethodsThe sample was composed of 6870 students (3688 females and 3182 males), aged 6 to 17 years. The bone status parameter, Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS) was assessed by QUS of the phalanges using DBM Sonic BP (IGEA, Carpi, Italy) equipment. Skin color was obtained by self-evaluation. The LMS method was used to derive smoothed percentiles reference charts for AD-SoS according to sex, age, height and weight and to generate the L, M, and S parameters.ResultsGirls showed higher AD-SoS values than boys in the age groups 7–16 (p<0.001). There were no differences on AD-SoS Z-scores according to skin color. In both sexes, the obese group showed lower values of AD-SoS Z-scores compared with subjects classified as thin or normal weight. Age (r2 = 0.48) and height (r2 = 0.35) were independent predictors of AD-SoS in females and males, respectively.ConclusionAD-SoS values in Brazilian children and adolescents were influenced by sex, age and weight status, but not by skin color. Our normative data could be used for monitoring AD-SoS in children or adolescents aged 6–17 years.

Highlights

The adequate acquisition of bone mass during childhood and adolescence leads to a healthy bone structure throughout life [1, 2]
This method has practical advantages compared to conventional methods which uses x-rays and photons, i.e. dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and peripheral quantitative computed tomography
We decided to remove the bone transmission time (BTT), in our study, because we lost about 30% of the data of this variable and we considered that this could interfere with the comparisons with Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS) results

Summary

Introduction

The adequate acquisition of bone mass during childhood and adolescence leads to a healthy bone structure throughout life [1, 2]. Several experiments suggest that ultrasound parameters provide information on quantity, and on the architecture and elasticity of bone [5,6,7,8,9] This method has practical advantages compared to conventional methods which uses x-rays and photons, i.e. dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and peripheral quantitative computed tomography. It is safe, relatively cheap, takes less time to measure, the equipment is portable and ionizing radiation-free, which makes a good indication for its use with children and adolescents [5, 10,11,12]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion