Densitometric test in differential diagnosis of short stature children

The aim of the study is to compare the dimensions and optical density of the second metacarpal bone in children with short stature caused by idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (IGHD), and children with short stature, but normal level of growth hormone. The diagnostic importance of the obtained results is assessed. Grazyna Łyson-Wojciechowska, Tomasz Romer, Waldemar Skawinski, 1999; Przegląd Antropologiczny – Anthropological Review, vol. 62, Poznan 1999, pp. 49–55, figs 2, tables 5. ISBN 83-86969-44-X, ISSN 0033-2003 Aim, materials and methods The densitometric method described by WOLAŃSKI [1967] is used as an additional diagnostic tool in children with growth and developmental disturbances [ŁYSOŃ-WOJCIECHOWSKA et al. 1984, 1991a, b, c; ŁYSOŃ-WOJCIECHOWSKA & ROMER 1987; DZIECHCIARZ et al. 1996]. The X-rays (done with a special technique [WOLAŃSKI 1967]) of bones of the left hand of 200 children with short stature, non-treated, were assessed with densitometric method. Children, 53 girls and 147 boys, were from 3 to 17 years of age. The X-rays were also used to assess the skeletal age with the Greulich-Pyle method [e.g., KOPCZYŃSKA-SIKORSKA 1969]. The dimensions and optical density of the second metacarpal bone were evaluated with Zeiss fotodensitometer. The optical density error was 8-10 %, and the bone dimensions were assessed with pinpoint caliper with 5 % error. The children were divided into five clinical subgroups. The obtained results were standardized by the DENSITY software [ŁYSOŃ-WOJCIECHOWSKA et al. 1992] and presented as standard deviation scores (SDS). The bone dimensions were compared with reference data [BECKER 1984]. For optical density evaluation the authors used their own reference data collected with the use of Zeiss fotodensitometer. The patients’ results were later compared with healthy children reference data: (a) of the same skeletal age, (b) of the same height, and (c) of the same chronological age. The results of these comparisons allowed for 1 Instytut “Pomnik-Centrum Zdrowia Dziecka” Klinika Endokrynologii – Pracownia Antropologii Al. Dzieci Polskich 20, 04-736 Warszawa 2 Klinika Medyczna “Consilium”, Warszawa * Prace zrealizowano w temacie naukowym KBN