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Longitudinal changes in calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measures during childhood

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Abstract

Summary

This longitudinal study examined how calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measures change during childhood while taking into account skeletal maturation, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity. The study reported sex differences in QUS growth curves and an inverse relationship between BMI and speed of sound (SOS) measures.

Introduction

The aim of this study was to examine how calcaneal QUS parameters change over time during childhood and to determine what factors influence these changes.

Methods

The study sample consisted of a total of 192 Caucasian children participating in the Fels Longitudinal Study. A total of 548 calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and SOS observations were obtained between the ages of 7.6 and 18 years. The best fitting growth curves were determined using statistical methods for linear mixed effect models.

Results

There are significant sex differences in the pattern of change in QUS parameters (p < 0.05). The relationship between QUS measures and skeletal age is best described by a cubic growth curve in boys and a linear pattern among girls. Boys experience their most rapid growth in BUA and SOS in early and late adolescence, while girls experience constant growth throughout childhood. Adiposity levels were significantly associated with the changes in SOS among boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p < 0.01), indicating that children with higher BMI are likely to have lower SOS over time compared to children with lower BMI. For girls, physical activity levels showed positive associations with changes in QUS measures (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study documents significant sex differences in the pattern of change in QUS measures over childhood and adolescence. Our study also shows significant influences of adiposity and physical activity on the pattern of change in QUS measures during childhood.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by National Institutes of Health grants (AR052147, HD012252). This study was presented in part at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Annual meeting in 2008. We are thankful for the participants in the Fels Longitudinal Study and the assistance of our research staff.

Conflicts of interest

None.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lifespan Health Research Center, Department of Community Health, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3171 Research Blvd., Dayton, OH, 45420, USA

    M. Lee, R. W. Nahhas, A. C. Choh, D. L. Duren, W. C. Chumlea, R. J. Sherwood, B. Towne, R. M. Siervogel & S. A. Czerwinski

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA

    M. Lee, W. C. Chumlea, R. J. Sherwood, B. Towne & R. M. Siervogel

  3. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    E. W. Demerath

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  1. M. Lee
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Correspondence to M. Lee.

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Lee, M., Nahhas, R.W., Choh, A.C. et al. Longitudinal changes in calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measures during childhood. Osteoporos Int 22, 2295–2305 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-010-1458-0

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