Bone mineralization and physical development of children.

A cross-sectional study of BMD and physical development values in children of various age-specific groups was carried out. In all, the study included 357 children (194 boys and 163 girls) aged from 5 to 16 years. The study did not include children with inherited or acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system, chronic diseases of the liver or kidneys, diabetes, thyrotoxicosis or malabsorption syndrome or professional athletes. BMD values were estimated by dual X-ray absorbtiometry (DXA) of the lumbar part of the spine (L2-L4) using a "DPX-MD+" device equipped with a "child" software program. Out of all the examined children, 58.9% had harmonic physical development, and 13.1% had a decreased body height and body mass. It was revealed that BMC and BMD values in the lumbar part of the spine intensively increased with age. BMC closely correlates with body height (r = 0.8; p < 0.000) and body mass (r = 0.7; p < 0.000). BMD also correlates with anthropometric parameters. The lowest BMC and BMD values and Z-score as well can be found in children with a low body height and body mass (<10th percentile).