Normative data for iliac bone histomorphometry in growing children

Many insights into normal and pathologic bone development can only be gaine d by bone histomorphometry. However, the use of this technique in pediatric s has so far been hampered by the lack of reference data. Therefore, we obt ained transfixing iliac bone samples from 58 individuals between 1.5 and 22 .9 years of age (25 male; tetracycline labeling performed in 48 subjects), who underwent surgery for reasons independent of abnormalities in bone deve lopment and metabolism. The results of histomorphometric analyses of cancel lous parameters and cortical width are presented as means and standard devi ations, as well as medians and ranges in five age groups. In addition, the original data are available from the authors. There were significant age-de pendent increases in both cortical width and cancellous bone volume, the la tter being due to an increase in trabecular thickness. Osteoid thickness di d not vary significantly with age, Bone surface-based indicators of bone fo rmation showed an age-dependent decline, reflecting similar changes in acti vation frequency, Mineral apposition rate decreased continuously with age. Parameters of bone resorption did not vary significantly between age groups . Paired biopsies from adjacent sites, obtained in eight subjects, were use d to examine the reproducibility of histomorphometric parameters in childre n. The lowest coefficients of variation (<10%) were found for structural me asures, as well as mineral apposition rate and wall thickness, The highest variability was found for cellular parameters. The availability of referenc e material will greatly facilitate the use of histomorphometry in pediatric s. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.