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01-07-2009 | Review

Pediatric body composition analysis with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Authors: Maura Helba, Larry A. Binkovitz

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 7/2009

Abstract

Pediatric applications of body composition analysis (BCA) have become of increased interest to pediatricians and other specialists. With the increasing prevalence of morbid obesity and with an increased awareness of anorexia nervosa, pediatric specialists are utilizing BCA data to help identify, treat, and prevent these conditions. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can be used to determine the fat mass (FM) and lean tissue mass (LTM), as well as bone mineral content (BMC). Among the readily available BCA techniques, DXA is the most widely used and it has the additional benefit of precisely quantifying regional FM and LTM. This review evaluates the strengths and limitations of DXA as a pediatric BCA method and considers the utilization of DXA to identify trends and variations in FM and LTM measurements in obese and anorexic children.

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Title: Pediatric body composition analysis with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Maura Helba
Larry A. Binkovitz
Publication date: 01-07-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Pediatric Radiology / Issue 7/2009
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-009-1247-0

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