Vertebral morphology in healthy children
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing normative standards for vertebral morphology in children: A feasibility study
IRAS ID
315446
Contact name
Amaka C Offiah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NIHR200725, National Institute for Health Research
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
Our long-term goal is to improve the diagnosis and treatment of childhood osteoporosis by improving the detection of vertebral fractures (VF). To achieve this, we must understand the natural variation in shape and height of vertebral bodies that occurs in healthy growing children.
Osteoporosis is thinning of the bones. There are over 25 inherited and acquired disorders (e.g. osteogenesis imperfecta, Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and well over 20 drugs (e.g. steroids, anti-cancer drugs, anticonvulsants) associated with childhood osteoporosis, all predisposing affected children to VF, significant pain and deformity. Furthermore, 40% of an adult’s total bone mass accumulates during adolescence, therefore an adolescent with osteoporosis, if untreated, is likely to become an adult with osteoporosis. Early detection and treatment are important to prevent fracture and deformity progression.
Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA, pronounced “dexa”), which measures bone mineral density (BMD), cannot reliably predict childhood fractures, because not all children with low BMD will fracture, while some will fracture even with normal BMD. Therefore, the International Society for Clinical Densitometry has defined childhood osteoporosis based on the presence of fractures rather than on BMD. This highlights the importance of identifying VF in children.
Taking advantage of the high-quality spine imaging at low-radiation dose of current DXA machines, we will document the normal variation in vertebral shape that occurs in healthy children, with the goal of improving VF detection and therefore improving diagnosis and treatment of childhood osteoporosis.
This current feasibility study will recruit 70 children, from schools in Sheffield and Birmingham. Children will attend Sheffield Children’s and Birmingham Hospitals for their DXA scans.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EE/0043
Date of REC Opinion
24 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion