2009•Biology of the NeonateRequires access
Use of Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry for the Measurements of Small Quantities of Mineral
Alexandre Lapillonne, P Braillon, Olivier Claris, Pui S. Ho, Pierre D. Delmas, Bernard L. Salle
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Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the precision and the accuracy of whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements of low quantities of mineral. Six stillborn infants were measured three times in order to assess the precision in vivo. Powdered bone tablets were also measured three times separately or in compact groups (0.32-41.7 g of hydroxyapatite) by whole-body DXA. Mean correlation coefficients were 6.85 +/- 5.99 and 6.74 +/- 6.58% in vivo and in vitro, respectively. DXA-based estimates of the tablets were highly correlated with the actual bone mineral content (BMC; r = 0.99, p = 0.0001). The mean difference between DXA values and the reference values was 2.55 +/- 10.93%, but the agreement between DXA results and reference values rose to 3.99 +/- 3.49% for BMC above 10 g. Very small amounts of mineral can be measured by whole-body DXA, but assessment of an infant with a BMC less than 10 g should be made with care.