Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Radiology 6/2019

01-06-2019 | Forensic Medicine

A systematic review of the agreement between chronological age and skeletal age based on the Greulich and Pyle atlas

Authors: Pål Skage Dahlberg, Annhild Mosdøl, Yunpeng Ding, Øyvind Bleka, Veslemøy Rolseth, Gyri Hval Straumann, Marianne Skjerven-Martinsen, Gerd Jorunn Møller Delaveris, Gunn Elisabeth Vist

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

This systematic review examines the agreement between assessed skeletal age by the Greulich and Pyle atlas (GP skeletal age) and chronological age.

Methods

We searched electronic databases until January 2017 for studies reporting GP skeletal age and confirmed chronological age in healthy individuals aged 10–25 years. Results are presented as forest plots and meta-analyses (random-effects models).

Results

In separate meta-analyses for each age group and sex (14–18 years for girls, 14–19 years for boys), the pooled mean differences between GP skeletal age and chronological age varied from -0.52 years to 0.47 years. In individual studies, age group and sex-specific mean differences between GP skeletal age and chronological age rarely exceeded 1 year, but between-study heterogeneities were large in most age groups. Few studies examined mean chronological age and distribution for each GP skeletal age. One study of good methodological quality indicates that 95% prediction intervals for chronological age from given GP skeletal ages are typically around 4 years.

Conclusions

There is still good correlation between GP skeletal age and mean chronological age in modern populations. However, the individual variation of development within a population and heterogeneities between studies are substantial.

Key Points

The GP atlas still corresponds well with mean chronological age in modern populations.
The substantial variation within a population must be considered.
The heterogeneity between studies is relatively large and of unknown origin.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Greulich WW, Pyle SI (1959) Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist, 2nd edn. Stanford University Press, Redwood City Greulich WW, Pyle SI (1959) Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist, 2nd edn. Stanford University Press, Redwood City
2.
go back to reference Chaumoitre K, Saliba-Serre B, Adalian P, Signoli M, Leonetti G, Panuel M (2017) Forensic use of the Greulich and Pyle atlas: prediction intervals and relevance. Eur Radiol 27:1032–1043CrossRefPubMed Chaumoitre K, Saliba-Serre B, Adalian P, Signoli M, Leonetti G, Panuel M (2017) Forensic use of the Greulich and Pyle atlas: prediction intervals and relevance. Eur Radiol 27:1032–1043CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Schmeling A, Reisinger W, Loreck D, Vendura K, Markus W, Geserick G (2000) Effects of ethnicity on skeletal maturation: consequences for forensic age estimations. Int J Leg Med 113:253–258CrossRef Schmeling A, Reisinger W, Loreck D, Vendura K, Markus W, Geserick G (2000) Effects of ethnicity on skeletal maturation: consequences for forensic age estimations. Int J Leg Med 113:253–258CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Schmidt S, Baumann U, Schulz R, Reisinger W, Schmeling A (2008) Study of age dependence of epiphyseal ossification of the hand skeleton. Int J Legal Med 122:51–54CrossRefPubMed Schmidt S, Baumann U, Schulz R, Reisinger W, Schmeling A (2008) Study of age dependence of epiphyseal ossification of the hand skeleton. Int J Legal Med 122:51–54CrossRefPubMed
6.
7.
go back to reference Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. BMJ 339:b2535CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. BMJ 339:b2535CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Dahlberg PS, Mosdøl A, Ding KY et al (2017) Agreement between chronological age and bone age based on the Greulich and Pyle atlas for age estimation: a systematic review. Oslo, Norway: Knowledge Centre for the Health Services at The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH). Report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health No. 2017-21. NIPH Systematic Reviews: Executive Summaries Dahlberg PS, Mosdøl A, Ding KY et al (2017) Agreement between chronological age and bone age based on the Greulich and Pyle atlas for age estimation: a systematic review. Oslo, Norway: Knowledge Centre for the Health Services at The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH). Report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health No. 2017-21. NIPH Systematic Reviews: Executive Summaries
9.
go back to reference Whiting PF, Rutjes AW, Westwood ME et al (2011) QUADAS-2: a revised tool for the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies. Ann Intern Med 155:529–536CrossRefPubMed Whiting PF, Rutjes AW, Westwood ME et al (2011) QUADAS-2: a revised tool for the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies. Ann Intern Med 155:529–536CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Bocquet-Appel JP, Masset C (1982) Farewell to paleodemography. J Hum Evol 11:321-333 Bocquet-Appel JP, Masset C (1982) Farewell to paleodemography. J Hum Evol 11:321-333
11.
go back to reference Boldsen J, Milner G, Konigsberg L, Wood J (2002) Transition analysis: a new method for estimating age from skeletons. In: Hoppa R, Vaupel J (eds) Paleodemography: age distributions from skeletal samples. Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology, 73–106. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Boldsen J, Milner G, Konigsberg L, Wood J (2002) Transition analysis: a new method for estimating age from skeletons. In: Hoppa R, Vaupel J (eds) Paleodemography: age distributions from skeletal samples. Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology, 73–106. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
12.
go back to reference Konigsberg LW (2015) Multivariate cumulative probit for age estimation using ordinal categorical data. Ann Hum Biol 42:368–378CrossRefPubMed Konigsberg LW (2015) Multivariate cumulative probit for age estimation using ordinal categorical data. Ann Hum Biol 42:368–378CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Bala M, Pathak A, Jain RL (2010) Assessment of skeletal age using MP3 and hand-wrist radiographs and its correlation with dental and chronological ages in children. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 28:95-99 Bala M, Pathak A, Jain RL (2010) Assessment of skeletal age using MP3 and hand-wrist radiographs and its correlation with dental and chronological ages in children. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 28:95-99
14.
go back to reference Buken B, Safak AA, Yazici B, Buken E, Mayda AS (2007) Is the assessment of bone age by the Greulich-Pyle method reliable at forensic age estimation for Turkish children? Forensic Sci Int 173:146–153CrossRefPubMed Buken B, Safak AA, Yazici B, Buken E, Mayda AS (2007) Is the assessment of bone age by the Greulich-Pyle method reliable at forensic age estimation for Turkish children? Forensic Sci Int 173:146–153CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Cantekin K, Celikoglu M, Miloglu O, Dane A, Erdem A (2012) Bone age assessment: the applicability of the Greulich-Pyle method in eastern Turkish children. J Forensic Sci 57:679–682CrossRefPubMed Cantekin K, Celikoglu M, Miloglu O, Dane A, Erdem A (2012) Bone age assessment: the applicability of the Greulich-Pyle method in eastern Turkish children. J Forensic Sci 57:679–682CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Chiang KH, Chou ASB, Yen PS et al (2005) The reliability of using Greulich-Pyle method to determine children's bone age in Taiwan. Tzu Chi Med J 17:417–420+453 Chiang KH, Chou ASB, Yen PS et al (2005) The reliability of using Greulich-Pyle method to determine children's bone age in Taiwan. Tzu Chi Med J 17:417–420+453
17.
go back to reference Griffith JF, Cheng JCY, Wong E (2007) Are western skeletal age standards applicable to the Hong Kong Chinese population? A comparison of the Greulich and Pyle method and the Tanner and Whitehouse method. Hong Kong Med J 13(Suppl 3):S28-32 Griffith JF, Cheng JCY, Wong E (2007) Are western skeletal age standards applicable to the Hong Kong Chinese population? A comparison of the Greulich and Pyle method and the Tanner and Whitehouse method. Hong Kong Med J 13(Suppl 3):S28-32
18.
go back to reference Jiménez-Castellanos J, Carmona A, Catalina-Herrera CJ, Viñuales M (1996) Skeletal maturation of wrist and hand ossification centers in normal Spanish boys and girls: a study using the Greulich-Pyle method. Acta Anat (Basel) 155:206–211CrossRef Jiménez-Castellanos J, Carmona A, Catalina-Herrera CJ, Viñuales M (1996) Skeletal maturation of wrist and hand ossification centers in normal Spanish boys and girls: a study using the Greulich-Pyle method. Acta Anat (Basel) 155:206–211CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Johnston FE (1963) Skeletal age and its prediction in Philadephia children. Hum Biol 35:192–202PubMed Johnston FE (1963) Skeletal age and its prediction in Philadephia children. Hum Biol 35:192–202PubMed
20.
go back to reference Koc A, Karaoglanoglu M, Erdogan M, Kosecik M, Cesur Y (2001) Assessment of bone ages: is the Greulich-Pyle method sufficient for Turkish boys? Pediatr Int 43:662–665CrossRefPubMed Koc A, Karaoglanoglu M, Erdogan M, Kosecik M, Cesur Y (2001) Assessment of bone ages: is the Greulich-Pyle method sufficient for Turkish boys? Pediatr Int 43:662–665CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Mohammed RB, Rao DS, Goud AS, Sailaja S, Thetay AA, Gopalakrishnan M (2015) Is Greulich and Pyle standards of skeletal maturation applicable for age estimation in South Indian Andhra children? J Pharm Bioallied Sci 7:218–225CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Mohammed RB, Rao DS, Goud AS, Sailaja S, Thetay AA, Gopalakrishnan M (2015) Is Greulich and Pyle standards of skeletal maturation applicable for age estimation in South Indian Andhra children? J Pharm Bioallied Sci 7:218–225CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
go back to reference Nahid G, Afkhamzadeh A, Salehi MG, Anvar E (2010) Assessment of bone age in Kurdish children in Iran. Pak J Med Sci 26:36-39 Nahid G, Afkhamzadeh A, Salehi MG, Anvar E (2010) Assessment of bone age in Kurdish children in Iran. Pak J Med Sci 26:36-39
23.
go back to reference Patel PS, Chaudhary AR, Dudhia BB, Bhatia PV, Soni NC, Jani YV (2015) Accuracy of two dental and one skeletal age estimation methods in 6-16 year old Gujarati children. J Forensic Dent Sci 7:18–27CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Patel PS, Chaudhary AR, Dudhia BB, Bhatia PV, Soni NC, Jani YV (2015) Accuracy of two dental and one skeletal age estimation methods in 6-16 year old Gujarati children. J Forensic Dent Sci 7:18–27CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
24.
go back to reference Patil ST, Parchand MP, Meshram MM, Kamdi NY (2012) Applicability of Greulich and Pyle skeletal age standards to Indian children. Forensic Sci Int 216:200.e201–200.e204CrossRef Patil ST, Parchand MP, Meshram MM, Kamdi NY (2012) Applicability of Greulich and Pyle skeletal age standards to Indian children. Forensic Sci Int 216:200.e201–200.e204CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Suri S, Prasad C, Tompson B, Lou W (2013) Longitudinal comparison of skeletal age determined by the Greulich and Pyle method and chronologic age in normally growing children, and clinical interpretations for orthodontics. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 143:50–60CrossRefPubMed Suri S, Prasad C, Tompson B, Lou W (2013) Longitudinal comparison of skeletal age determined by the Greulich and Pyle method and chronologic age in normally growing children, and clinical interpretations for orthodontics. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 143:50–60CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Tisè M, Mazzarini L, Fabrizzi G, Ferrante L, Giorgetti R, Tagliabracci A (2011) Applicability of Greulich and Pyle method for age assessment in forensic practice on an Italian sample. Int J Legal Med 125:411–416CrossRefPubMed Tisè M, Mazzarini L, Fabrizzi G, Ferrante L, Giorgetti R, Tagliabracci A (2011) Applicability of Greulich and Pyle method for age assessment in forensic practice on an Italian sample. Int J Legal Med 125:411–416CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference van Rijn RR, Lequin MH, Robben SG, Hop WC, van Kuijk C (2001) Is the Greulich and Pyle atlas still valid for Dutch Caucasian children today? Pediatr Radiol 31:748–752CrossRefPubMed van Rijn RR, Lequin MH, Robben SG, Hop WC, van Kuijk C (2001) Is the Greulich and Pyle atlas still valid for Dutch Caucasian children today? Pediatr Radiol 31:748–752CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Zafar AM, Nadeem N, Husen Y, Ahmad MN (2010) An appraisal of Greulich-Pyle Atlas for skeletal age assessment in Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 60:552–555PubMed Zafar AM, Nadeem N, Husen Y, Ahmad MN (2010) An appraisal of Greulich-Pyle Atlas for skeletal age assessment in Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc 60:552–555PubMed
29.
go back to reference Mansourvar M, Ismail MA, Raj RG et al (2014) The applicability of Greulich and Pyle atlas to assess skeletal age for four ethnic groups. J Forensic Leg Med 22:26–29CrossRefPubMed Mansourvar M, Ismail MA, Raj RG et al (2014) The applicability of Greulich and Pyle atlas to assess skeletal age for four ethnic groups. J Forensic Leg Med 22:26–29CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Mora S, Boechat MI, Pietka E, Huang HK, Gilsanz V (2001) Skeletal Age determinations in children of European and African descent: applicability of the Greulich and Pyle standards. Pediatr Res 50:624–628CrossRefPubMed Mora S, Boechat MI, Pietka E, Huang HK, Gilsanz V (2001) Skeletal Age determinations in children of European and African descent: applicability of the Greulich and Pyle standards. Pediatr Res 50:624–628CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Zhang A, Sayre JW, Vachon L, Liu BJ, Huang HK (2009) Racial differences in growth patterns of children assessed on the basis of bone age. Radiology 250:228–235CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Zhang A, Sayre JW, Vachon L, Liu BJ, Huang HK (2009) Racial differences in growth patterns of children assessed on the basis of bone age. Radiology 250:228–235CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
32.
go back to reference Fleshman K (2000) Bone age determination in a paediatric population as an indicator of nutritional status. Trop Doct 30:16–18CrossRefPubMed Fleshman K (2000) Bone age determination in a paediatric population as an indicator of nutritional status. Trop Doct 30:16–18CrossRefPubMed
33.
go back to reference Jahari AB, Haas J, Husaini MA, Pollitt E (2000) Effects of an energy and micronutrient supplement on skeletal maturation in undernourished children in Indonesia. Eur J Clin Nutr 54(Suppl 2):S74–S79CrossRefPubMed Jahari AB, Haas J, Husaini MA, Pollitt E (2000) Effects of an energy and micronutrient supplement on skeletal maturation in undernourished children in Indonesia. Eur J Clin Nutr 54(Suppl 2):S74–S79CrossRefPubMed
34.
go back to reference Schmeling A, Schulz R, Danner B, Rösing FW (2006) The impact of economic progress and modernization in medicine on the ossification of hand and wrist. Int J Legal Med 120:121–126CrossRefPubMed Schmeling A, Schulz R, Danner B, Rösing FW (2006) The impact of economic progress and modernization in medicine on the ossification of hand and wrist. Int J Legal Med 120:121–126CrossRefPubMed
35.
go back to reference Chaumoitre K, Lamtali S, Baali A et al (2010) Influence of socioeconomic status and body mass index on bone age. Horm Res Paediatr 74:129–135CrossRefPubMed Chaumoitre K, Lamtali S, Baali A et al (2010) Influence of socioeconomic status and body mass index on bone age. Horm Res Paediatr 74:129–135CrossRefPubMed
36.
go back to reference Johnson W, Stovitz SD, Choh AC, Czerwinski SA, Towne B, Demerath EW (2012) Patterns of linear growth and skeletal maturation from birth to 18 years of age in overweight young adults. Int J Obes (Lond) 36:535–541CrossRef Johnson W, Stovitz SD, Choh AC, Czerwinski SA, Towne B, Demerath EW (2012) Patterns of linear growth and skeletal maturation from birth to 18 years of age in overweight young adults. Int J Obes (Lond) 36:535–541CrossRef
37.
go back to reference Vandewalle S, Taes Y, Fiers T et al (2014) Sex steroids in relation to sexual and skeletal maturation in obese male adolescents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 99:2977–2985CrossRefPubMed Vandewalle S, Taes Y, Fiers T et al (2014) Sex steroids in relation to sexual and skeletal maturation in obese male adolescents. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 99:2977–2985CrossRefPubMed
38.
go back to reference Lynnerup N, Belard E, Buch-Olsen K, Sejrsen B, Damgaard-Pedersen K (2008) Intra- and interobserver error of the Greulich-Pyle method as used on a Danish forensic sample. Forensic Sci Int 179:242.e1–242.e6CrossRef Lynnerup N, Belard E, Buch-Olsen K, Sejrsen B, Damgaard-Pedersen K (2008) Intra- and interobserver error of the Greulich-Pyle method as used on a Danish forensic sample. Forensic Sci Int 179:242.e1–242.e6CrossRef
39.
go back to reference King DG, Steventon DM, O'Sullivan MP et al (1994) Reproducibility of bone ages when performed by radiology registrars: an audit of Tanner and Whitehouse II versus Greulich and Pyle methods. Br J Radiol 67:848–851CrossRefPubMed King DG, Steventon DM, O'Sullivan MP et al (1994) Reproducibility of bone ages when performed by radiology registrars: an audit of Tanner and Whitehouse II versus Greulich and Pyle methods. Br J Radiol 67:848–851CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Alcina M, Lucea A, Salicrú M, Turbón D (2018) Reliability of the Greulich and Pyle method for chronological age estimation and age majority prediction in a Spanish sample. Int J Legal Med 132:1139–1149CrossRefPubMed Alcina M, Lucea A, Salicrú M, Turbón D (2018) Reliability of the Greulich and Pyle method for chronological age estimation and age majority prediction in a Spanish sample. Int J Legal Med 132:1139–1149CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
A systematic review of the agreement between chronological age and skeletal age based on the Greulich and Pyle atlas
Authors
Pål Skage Dahlberg
Annhild Mosdøl
Yunpeng Ding
Øyvind Bleka
Veslemøy Rolseth
Gyri Hval Straumann
Marianne Skjerven-Martinsen
Gerd Jorunn Møller Delaveris
Gunn Elisabeth Vist
Publication date
01-06-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-018-5718-2

Other articles of this Issue 6/2019

European Radiology 6/2019 Go to the issue