Quantitative ultrasound of the peripheral skeleton in newborn

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the tibia in newborn for the evaluation of locoregional reference data. Quantitative ultrasound is a relatively new, non-invasive method for the evaluation of the skeleton which is without ionising radiation.

Material and methods: 223 newborn were included in this prospective study (107 female). Gestational age was 28+3 to 41+5 weeks and birth weight 3363 ± 557 g. Some preterm infants were als sampled. QUS was performed in the first weeks of life using the Omnisense 7000 P (Sunlight Med Ltd). Investigation was performed standardized on the left sided tibia; speed of sound (SOS) was measured. Anthropometric, neonatal, and maternal data were sampled. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0.

Results: There was a significant correlation between SOS and gestational age (r = 0.2; p = 0.004) and gender. Female newborn showed lower SOS than male (3022 ± 93 m/s vs. 3060 ± 98 m/s; p = 0.009). In preterm infants SOS was lower (2977 ± 108 m/s vs. 3043 ± 97 m/s; p = 0.0024) than in term newborn. Eutroph newborn showed lower SOS then hypotroph newborn and higher SOS then hypertroph newborn. Precision was 0.42%.

Discussions and conclusion: Out data suggest that QUS on the tibia is possible in newborn infants and also in preterm infants. There was a positive correlation between SOS and gestational age and gender. The evaluated reference data can be used for an estimation of bone quality in newborn and also in preterm infants.