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The relationship between paediatric calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and DXA with laser (DXL) as well as body composition

International Journal of Obesity volume 35, pages S125–S130 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a quick, non-invasive and inexpensive method to measure bone strength. Moreover, the device is portable, which makes it easy to be used in the field. In contrast to other bone measuring techniques, QUS does not use any ionised radiation. However, the validity of QUS in the measurement of bone health and the relationship between QUS output and body composition have not been assessed in very young children.

Objective:

To investigate the relationship between paediatric calcaneal QUS and both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and calcaneal DXA with laser (DXL) and body composition parameters.

Subjects:

A total of 37 Belgian children (10 boys and 27 girls; 4 to 8 years old) underwent a calcaneal QUS as well as a DXA scan. A total of 24 Swedish children (15 boys and 9 girls; 3 to 5 years old) underwent a calcaneal QUS as well as a heel DXL scan. The height and weight of all children were measured.

Results:

The QUS stiffness index (SI) was significantly negatively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) of the total body (r=−0.370, P=0.02). No significant correlations were found between the SI and DXL results. In the total sample, the SI showed a significant positive correlation with body mass index (BMI) (r=0.298, P=0.02), even after correction for age, gender and centre. In the Belgian sample, the SI was also significantly positively correlated with total body fat mass content (r=0.416, P=0.01) and body fat percentage (r=0.566, P<0.01) obtained by whole-body DXA.

Conclusion:

The SI measured by QUS does not correlate significantly with BMD values measured by DXA or DXL in 3- to 8-year-old children. However, there is a significant positive correlation between SI and BMI and body fat %.

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Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of the IDEFICS study (http://www.idefics.eu). We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the European Community within the Sixth RTD Framework Programme Contract No. 016181 (FOOD). We thank all participants for their contribution. We acknowledge Anne Dohsé for the DXL measurements. TDV received two Research Flanders. GS received consulting funds from Eli Lilly and Company, lecture funds from MSD, F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Warner Chillcott, Servier, and grant support from MSD, F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and Warner Chillcott, Servier. The information in this document reflects the author's view and is provided as is.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    I Sioen, S De Henauw, T De Vriendt, C Ottevaere & K Vyncke

  2. FWO, Research Foundation Flanders, Brussels, Belgium

    I Sioen, T De Vriendt & K Vyncke

  3. Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    S Goemare, J-M Kaufman & I Roggen

  4. Unit for Osteoporosis and Metabolic bone diseases, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium

    S Goemare & J-M Kaufman

  5. Bremen Institute for Prevention Research and Social Medicine, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    W Ahrens

  6. Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    D Swolin-Eide, B Tubić & S Mårild

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Sioen, I., Goemare, S., Ahrens, W. et al. The relationship between paediatric calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and DXA with laser (DXL) as well as body composition. Int J Obes 35 (Suppl 1), S125–S130 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2011.44

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