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

摘要

BackgroundPreterm 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.Materials and methodsSixty 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 andZ-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.ResultsBoth techniques showed a statistically significant weak correlation for continuous values as well asZ-scores (0.291–0.462, p?