Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements at Hand Phalanges in Children and Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to characterize changes in quantitative ultrasound (QUS) values over a 1-y period in healthy boys and girls aged 7 to 12 y at baseline and assess the relation between the increase in anthropometric parameters and amplitude dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS). A total of 269 children completed the study (139 girls and 130 boys). Ultrasound measurements were performed with a DBM Sonic 1200 device (IGEA, Carpi, Italy), which measures the Ad-SoS, m/s. Girls had significantly higher QUS values than boys at first and second measurements (p < 0.01 and p < 0.00001, respectively). Both girls and boys experienced statistically significant increases in Ad-SoS and all anthropometric parameters over a 1-y period. When the studied group was divided into age groups by year, the differences in QUS values between genders were significant only for 11 and 12 y groups at baseline (p < 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively) and second visit (p < 0.00001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Stepwise regression analyses models with Ad-SoS at baseline and after 1 y as dependent variables showed a strong correlation between Ad-SoS and Tanner stage in girls but not in boys. In the entire survey group, only 21.5% of the boys and 41% of the girls experienced increases in Ad-SoS more than least significant change. This article suggests that QUS measurements allow the investigation of longitudinal changes and give reliable information about skeletal status in a manner similar to other methods.