Evaluation of bone mineralization in former preterm born children: Phalangeal quantitative ultrasound cannot replace dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

• Published in: Bone Reports 2018-06, Vol.8, p.38-45
• Main Authors: Lageweg, Carmen M.T., van der Putten, Mayke E., van Goudoever, Johannes B., Feuth, Ton, Gotthardt, Martin, van Heijst, Arno F.J., Christmann, Viola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bone development; Children; Correlation; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scan; Speed of sound; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 2352-1872; 2352-1872
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2018.01.004

Preterm infants are at risk of impaired bone health in later life. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scan (DXA) is the gold standard to determine bone mineralization. Phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (pQUS) is an alternative technique that is inexpensive, easy to use and radiation-free. The aim of this study was to investigate whether both techniques reveal equivalent results. Sixty former preterm infants (31 boys; 29 girls) received a DXA and pQUS at age 9 to 10 years. DXA measured bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) for total body and lumbar spine (L1-4), while pQUS measured the amplitude dependent speed of sound (AD-SoS) and bone transit time (BTT) at metacarpals II-IV providing continuous values and Z-scores based on age and sex. Four statistical methods evaluated the association between both techniques: Pearson's correlation coefficients, partial correlation coefficients adjusted for gestational age, height and BMI, Bland-Altman analysis and cross tabulation. Both techniques showed a statistically significant weak correlation for continuous values as well as Z-scores (0.291–0.462, p