Pediatric Reference Values for Tibial Trabecular Bone Mineral Density and Bone Geometry Parameters Using Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography

The purpose of this study was to establish reference data, in relation to age and body height, for tibial trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and cross-sectional bone geometry in healthy children and adolescents using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Over a 2-year period, 432 (207 male and 225 female) healthy children, with an age range of 5 to 19 years, from 6 different geographic areas in Belgium were recruited. Multislice pQCT scanning (XCT2000(A (R)), Stratec Medizintechnik, Pforzheim, Germany) was performed at the distal metaphysis (at the 4 % site) and the distal diaphysis (14 and 38 % sites) of the tibia of the dominant leg. Gender-specific centile curves in relation to age and body height were generated with the LMS method for total and trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (at 4 % site), bone mineral content, total bone cross-sectional area, periosteal circumference (all at 4, 14, and 38 % site), cortical volumetric bone mineral density, endosteal circumference, and cortical thickness (at the 14 and the 38 % site). These centile curves can be used for the interpretation of pQCT results at the 4, 14, and 38 % site of the tibia in European children and adolescents, at least when a similar methodology is used.