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The Use of Quantitative Ultrasound in Assessing Bone Status in Newborn Preterm Infants

Journal of Perinatology volume 23, pages 655–659 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Quantitative ultrasound is increasingly used to assess bone status in adults and children; however, few studies have been carried out in neonates. Our objective was to determine if tibial bone speed of sound (SOS) correlates with gestational age and birth anthropometrics, and if bone SOS is related to maternal factors.

STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively studied 95 preterm infants to assess factors related to bone status as measured by quantitative ultrasound.

RESULTS: We found significant (p≤0.001) positive correlations between SOS and gestational age, birth weight, length, head circumference and tibial length. There was no significant relationship between SOS and prenatal steroid use, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, race or parity.

CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative ultrasound is an easy to use and inexpensive tool for assessing bone status in preterm neonates. Tibial SOS correlated with gestational age and birth anthropometrics, and was not related by few maternal factors.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the kind assistance and editorial review by Dr Lewis Barness. We express our great appreciation for the help and enthusiastic support of the nursing staff of Tampa General Hospital NICU.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, 33606, FL, USA

    Lourdes Pereda MD, Terri Ashmeade MD, Judy Zaritt BS & Jane D Carver PhD

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  1. Lourdes Pereda MD
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  2. Terri Ashmeade MD
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  3. Judy Zaritt BS
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  4. Jane D Carver PhD
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Supported in part by Sunlight Medical, Ltd

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Pereda, L., Ashmeade, T., Zaritt, J. et al. The Use of Quantitative Ultrasound in Assessing Bone Status in Newborn Preterm Infants. J Perinatol 23, 655–659 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211006

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