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Axial quantitative ultrasound assessment of pediatric bone quality in eastern Nepal
K D Williams1, J Blangero, M C Mahaney
1Department of Anthropology, Temple University, 1115 Polett Walk, 210 Gladfelter Hall, Philadelphia, PA, 19120, USA, kimberwilliams@temple.edu.
Insights
Quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) provides normative bone quality data for Nepali children, showing minimal impact from stunting or underweight. This study offers essential insights into bone health for underrepresented pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric bone health assessment
- Quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) applications
- South Asian pediatric populations
Background:
- Limited non-invasive bone health screening tools for non-Western pediatric populations.
- Need for normative bone quality data in underrepresented ethnic groups.
- Understanding the impact of growth disruptions on bone development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bone quality in a rural, South Asian pediatric population using QUS.
- To analyze sex-based variations in bone quality development trajectories.
- To investigate the influence of growth disruptions (stunting, wasting, underweight) on bone quality.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 860 Jirel children and adolescents (5-18 years) in Nepal.
- Quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) of the radius and tibia using Sunlight Omnisense 7000P.
- WHO reference standards applied to assess growth disruptions (height, weight, BMI).
Main Results:
- Presents normative QUS bone quality data for the radius and tibia in a Nepali pediatric cohort.
- A significant portion of participants exhibited stunting, wasting, and/or underweight.
- Bone quality data aligned with populations experiencing less growth disruption, indicating minimal immediate impact.
Conclusions:
- The study provides normative bone quality data for an underrepresented South Asian pediatric population.
- Stunting, wasting, or underweight at the time of assessment did not correlate with poor bone quality.
- Further research is recommended to explore cumulative effects of persistent growth disruptions on long-term bone health.
Unlabelled:
This study presents quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) bone quality data for an underrepresented, south Asian pediatric population from Nepal. Data were collected as part of a longitudinal study of growth and development. This study offers normative data and documents the effect of stunting, wasting, and underweight on the bone properties measured by QUS.
Introduction:
The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the bone quality of a rural, non-Western pediatric population using QUS, (2) explore variation in the trajectory of bone quality development between males and females, and (3) examine the impact of growth disruption(s) on bone quality.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 860 children and adolescents aged 5-18 years from the Jirel ethnic group in eastern Nepal was performed. The Sunlight Omnisense 7000P was used to assess bone quality of the distal 1/3 radius and midshaft tibia. WHO reference standards were used to assess growth disruptions of height, weight, and BMI.
Results:
QUS bone quality data for an underrepresented, non-Western pediatric population are presented for the radius and tibia. A sizable portion of the study participants were classified as stunted, wasted, and/or underweight. Despite this prevalence of growth disruption in the study sample, bone quality data conform to other documented populations with less growth disruption. Thus, this study offers normative data and documents the minimal effect of stunting, wasting, and underweight on the bone properties measured by QUS.
Conclusions:
Non-Western pediatric populations are significantly underserved with regard to simple, non-invasive screening tools that may help identify developmental disorders and assess bone health. The children and adolescents examined here represent normal growth and development for an underrepresented south Asian population. While this work demonstrates that stunting, wasting, or underweight status at time of QUS assessment is not associated with poor bone quality, we do suggest that further study is needed to examine possible cumulative effects of persistent disruptions that may lead to compromised bone quality in later adolescence.
