Peripheral quantitative computed tomography of the lower leg in children and adolescents: bone densities, cross-sectional sizes and muscle distribution reference data

OBJECTIVES: Peripheral quantitative computed tomography is utilised in increasing numbers of paediatric studies, however, very little is known about the reference limits for pQCT tibia measurements. The purpose of this study was to establish country-specific reference data for bone densities, cross-sectional sizes, strength and regional muscle distribution measured by pQCT in children and adolescents. METHODS: Stratec XCT 2000L apparatus was used. The measurement sites were 4%, 14%, 38% and 66% of the tibia length. The study group consisted of 222 participants (103 girls) aged 4,3-19,4 yrs. ANCOVA was used to assess the main determinants of pQCT outcomes. The LMS method was used to fit the percentile curves for each outcomes. RESULTS: Weight and age were the main determinants for most of the pQCT outcomes. Smoothed percentile curves were developed by age and by height for both sexes. CONCLUSION: In this study we present reference data for bone densities, cross-sectional size and strength as well as for regional muscle distribution measured by pQCT at certain sites of the lower leg to allow simple calculation of reliable Z scores.