Evaluation of Bone Age in Children: A Mini-Review

Abstract

Bone age represents a common index utilized in pediatric radiology and endocrinology departments worldwide for the definition of skeletal maturity for medical and non-medical purpose. It is defined by the age expressed in years that corresponds to the level of maturation of bones. Although several bones have been studied to better define bone age, the hand and wrist X-rays are the most used images. In fact, the images obtained by hand and wrist X-ray reflect the maturity of different types of bones of the skeletal segment evaluated. This information, associated to the characterization of the shape and changes of bone components configuration, represent an important factor of the biological maturation process of a subject. Bone age may be affected by several factors, including gender, nutrition, as well as metabolic, genetic, and social factors and either acute and chronic pathologies especially hormone alteration. As well several differences can be characterized according to the numerous standardized methods developed over the past decades. Therefore, the complete characterization of the main methods and procedure available and particularly of all their advantages and disadvantages need to be known in order to properly utilized this information for all its medical and non-medical main fields of application.

Keywords: X ray; bone age; children; height; skeletal development.

Figure 1

Images of hand and wrist x-rays in four female subjects compatible with physiological skeletal maturation in different ages: A (4 years), B (8 years), C (12 years), D (16 years). To note, usually the first ossification center to appear is in the contest of Capitate and Hamate at the second month in females and around the fourth month in males. Then the remaining centers appear, including Triquetrum at 2 years in females and 3 years in males, Lunate at 3 years in females and 4 years in males, Trapezium at 3 years in females and 4 years in males, Trapezoid at 4 years in females and 6 years in males, Scaphoid at 4 years in females and 6 years in males, Pisiform at 9 years in females and 12 years in males [77].