ISSN:
1432-2161
Keywords:
Metacarpal bone
;
Bone morphometry
;
Bone mineral content
;
Bone cortical thickness
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Cortical bone mass was quantified in 1278 Nigerian children (695 males and 583 females) aged 3–16 years in a prospectively designed cross-sectional and longitudinal study. The total bone width (T) and medullary cavity width (M) were measured at the midshaft of the second metacarpal bone using a direct reading caliper. From the above measurements the cortical width (C), cortical area (CA), and percent cortical area (PCA) were calculated using the method of Garn et al. [6] and showed a progressive increase of T, C, CA and PCA, reaching a plateau at 15 years. At all ages, the values for both T and M are higher in males than in females. On the other hand, and contrary to established normal values amongst both white and black Americans, between the ages of 9 and 15 the female values for C are higher than those for males. This difference is greatest at the age of 12 years (p〈0.001). The implication of this finding may be that during these years, African male children do not compensate for the increased endosteal resorption with a greater total cortical width (T), since the medullary width in females remains relatively constant over the years.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00203702
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