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Ultrasound Evaluation of Bone Age in Healthy Children

Not Applicable
Conditions
Evaluation of Bone Age by Ultrasound Technology
Interventions
Device: SonicBone ultrasound
Registration Number
NCT01980693
Lead Sponsor
Clalit Health Services
Brief Summary

Skeletal maturity assessment, defined also as bone age (BA), has an important role in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, used mainly for evaluating growth and puberty related endocrine disorders. Repeated BA assessment is important during the follow up of children with short stature, with precocious puberty and those treated by growth promoting medications.

The most commonly used method used for determining skeletal maturity, and thus BA is based on comparison of a hand and wrist radiographs to a standard series of representative films in the "Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist" by Greulich and Pyle (GP), which has been issued several decades ago. The suggested method in this study is based on ultrasound technology, and therefore it is quick, objective, and radiation-free. It delivers an immediate non biased result without the need to rely on an observer's evaluation of the hand radiograph and without the need for a specialized radiology facility.

Detailed Description

Skeletal maturity assessment, defined also as bone age (BA), has an important role in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, used mainly for evaluating growth and puberty related endocrine disorders. Repeated BA assessment is important during the follow up of children with short stature, with precocious puberty and those treated by growth promoting medications.

The most commonly used method used for determining skeletal maturity, and thus BA is based on comparison of a hand and wrist radiographs to a standard series of representative films in the "Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist" by Greulich and Pyle (GP), which has been issued several decades ago. Among the disadvantages and drawbacks in this BA assessment method are: the obligatory need for using radiology units that are often available only in special facilities or hospitals, not available at the physicians office, the exposure to ionizing radiation, and the known limitation of the method for the need of an endocrinologist to assess the BA, with a known large inter observers variability of the BA interpretation.

The suggested method in this study is based on ultrasound technology, and therefore it is quick, objective, and radiation-free. It delivers an immediate non biased result without the need to rely on an observer's evaluation of the hand radiograph and without the need for a specialized radiology facility.

This technique was innovated in order to find an efficient, convenient and non radiation based method of skeletal maturity assessment for the primary care physician that can be performed in an office setting.

The aim of this study is to establish a new bone age database by an ultrasound apparatus (SonicBone) that will eventually replace the X-ray based assessment using Greulich and Pyle and Tanner \& Whitehouse Atlas and methods.

The design of the study is to perform a concomitant skeletal maturation assessment by reading of an ultrasound technique using the SonicBone apparatus. Skeletal maturation assessment will be performed in females and males at various age groups from 4-17 years old.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
300
Inclusion Criteria

Children aged 4-17 years old Children with normal (3%-97%) height values for their age Children with normal (3%-97%) weight values for their age Children with normal (5%-85%) BMI value for their age Children of Caucasian ethnical origin A signed Informed Consent Form that was obtained from at least one parent or legal guardian, prior to ultrasound study.

An assent from the child to perform the SonicBone's BA device measurement

Exclusion Criteria

Children taking any medication that might change bone metabolism or mineralization within the last year (glucocorticosteroids, sex steroids, oral contraceptives, anticonvulsants, calcium and vitamin D in superphysiological doses) Children with suspected bone diseases, metabolic diseases, chronic diseases or multiple fractures.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
bone age assessment by ultrasoundSonicBone ultrasoundThe aim of this phase is to collect the ultrasound reading values of Speed of Sound (SOS) and Distance (DIS) of all participants by performing a one time measurement of the left hand by the SonicBone's BA device. Each measurement will be performed on three sites of the hand: the wrist the phalanx and the metacarpal bones.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
bone age2 years (2013-2014)

To establish by an ultrasound apparatus (SonicBone's BAUS) a skeletal maturity (Bone Age) status database which corresponds with healthy children and adolescence.

To establish a conversion formula by an ultrasound apparatus results (SonicBone BAUS) for prediction of bone age assessment of healthy children and adolescence.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
bone age2 years (2013-2014)

To investigate the pattern of skeletal maturation and ossification order of the three examined sites: Phalanx, Metacarpal and Wrist

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pediatric Community Ambulatory Clinic

🇮🇱

Petah-Tikva, Israel

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