[Bone mineralization in Chilean children determined by dual photon bone densitometry]

In 198 school age children, aged 6 to 13 years, the bone mineral density (BMD) and total bone mass (TBM) was measured in total body, lumbar spine and hip, using a double beam photon densitometer with a Gd 153 source. An increase with age of BMD and TBM was found in all the analyzed areas. At 12 years of age, TBM and BMD of total body were higher in girls than in boys. BMD of lumbar spine was significantly higher in girls than in boys at ages between 11 to 13 years. BMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck of 9 years old females were 36% and 18% respectively, lower than values of young adult Chilean females. The importance of normal values of bone mineralization for the diagnosis of bone diseases and for the evaluation of programmes directed to solve this problems is emphasized.