United Kingdom reference data for the hologic qdr discovery dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scanner in healthy children aged 6 - 17 years

Kate A Ward ^1*, Rebecca Ashby ¹, Steven Roberts ¹, Judith Adams ¹ and Zulf Mughal ²

¹ University of Manchester, United Kingdom
² St Mary's Hospital for Women and Children, United Kingdom

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kathryn.a.ward{at}manchester.ac.uk.

Accepted 14 August 2006

Abstract

Background: The use and correct interpretation of bone densitometry measurements in paediatric patients relies upon the availability of appropriate reference data. Ideally, such data should be matched for gender, chronological age, height, weight, pubertal development and ethnicity.

Aim: To provide UK specific reference data for the Hologic QDR Discovery dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners.

Methods: Healthy, white-Caucasian children aged between 5-18 years were recruited from local schools, colleges, GP surgeries and staff within University. Suitable participants had DXA measurements of the lumbar spine, hip and total body. Gender specific reference centile curves for bone mineral apparent density (spine and femoral neck), and to interpret scans using the approach suggested by Mølgaard et al. are provided. LMS tables for calculation of individual standard deviation scores (SDS) are provided.

Results: The total study population consisted of 442 participants (239 male). The total number of scans available for analysis was 431 of the lumbar spine, 426 of the total body and 393 of the proximal femur. Data are provided for clinical interpretation of spine and femoral neck scans based on a bone mineral apparent density (g/cm3), which reduces the size dependence of DXA areal bone mineral density (g/cm2). The spine and whole body data are also presented for interpretation of results using the approach suggested by Mølgaard et al.

Conclusions: We have provided the first UK, gender and ethnicity specific reference databases, which should allow the clinician to assess bone mineral density in paediatric patients, measured by the Hologic QDR Discovery DXA scanner.

Keywords: bone mineral apparent density, bone mineral content, children, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, reference centile curves

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