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BONE MASS ACCUMULATION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AGED 9~20

Li J-B, Li H-Q, Wang S-Y

Children�s Hospital of Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing, China

Objectives: It is well documented that improvement of peak bone mass (PBM) can prevente osteoporosis. This cross sectional study was conducted to determine the rate of skeletal growth at distal radial and the relation to age, puberty and linear growth in school children aged 9~20 yr.

Methods: The bone masses of the 161 healthy 9~20 yr children and adolescents were assessed by singal photon absorptiometer. Pubertal stages were assessed by the criteria from Tanner.

Results: Positive correlation between bone mass and age was observed in school children. The values of bone mass in male group were increasing substantially between 9~20 yr, whereas a dramatic reduction of the values in female group was observed after 16 years of age. The puberty was important for bone mass growth. During postpubescence, bone mass amounts to more than 80% of the mean values in adults. There was no significant effect of weight on radial bone mass, whrereas the linear growth was positively related to bone mass in the SMR1 (sex maturity rating) and SMR2 stages.

Conclusion: During puberty, major difference was observed in bone mass growth between boys and girls. Bone mass accumulated during adolescence accounts for 26%~39% of that recorded as PBM in adults. This suggests that it is important to begin primary prevention during childhood and adolescence.