Importance of lean mass in the interpretation of total body densitometry in children and adolescents

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics 2003-07, Vol.143 (1), p.81-88
• Main Authors: Högler, W, Briody, J, Woodhead, H.J, Chan, A, Cowell, C.T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon - instrumentation; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Biological and medical sciences; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Bone Density - physiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Growth Disorders - diagnosis; Growth Disorders - epidemiology; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Sex Distribution
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3476(03)00187-2

Objective Most studies that use total body dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in children rely on areal bone mineral density (BMD=bone mineral content [BMC]/bone area [BA]) and compare the output with age- and sex-specific normative data. Because this approach is prone to size-related misinterpretation, this study focuses on the interrelations among BMC, body size (height), and lean tissue mass (LTM). Study design This cross-sectional study presents normative total body LTM data in relation to height and BMC for 459 healthy white subjects (249 female), 3 to 30 years of age. Guidelines for DEXA interpretation in children are provided and illustrated for patients with growth hormone deficiency (n=5) and anorexia nervosa (n=5). Results LTM/height tended to be greater in male than in girls. The BMC/LTM ratio was greater in female than in boys (P