[Measurement of bone mineral content by single-photon absorptiometry in children].

Bone mineral content (BMC) was measured in 64 children (33 boys [aged 4-17] and 31 girls [aged 2-12]) having no signs of metabolic bone disease, at the distal third of their radius using single photon absorptiometry (SPA), to establish normative data. Relationships were studied between the obtained bone mineral content and the age, weight, as well as height of children. The obtained BMC values were compared with that of healthy Swedish and American children. Authors suggest the routine use of SPA in home children suffering from metabolic bone diseases.