X-ray measurement of phalange bones in children aged 7-12 from Kashin-Beck disease regions in Xinghai County, Qinghai Province / 中华地方病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To provide basic and scientific data for diagnosis of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) and development of children in the endemic disease region of Xinghai, Qinghai Province. Method In March 2012, the radiographs of right hand of 278 children aged 7 - 12 in KBD areas from Xinghai County, Qinghai Province were taken by X-ray, and then these phalange bones were measured with electronic digital vernier caliper. All data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0. Results The length of middle and end phalanges offingers of the forefinger, middle phalanges offinger of the middle finger and middle phalanges offinger of the pinky of girls aged 8 [(15.76 ± 1.39), (10.86 ± 1.06), (18.69 ± 1.46) and (12.26 ± 1.51) mm] were higher than those of boys [(14.71 ± 0.96), (10.24 ± 0.87), (17.76 ± 0.99) and (11.27 ± 1.42) mm], and the differences were statistically significant (t = 3.058, 2.174, 2.603, 2.346, all P0.05). 7 year old age group, the width of phalange bones(proximal thumb, middle phalanges offingers of the forefinger, proximal and end phalanges offinger of the middle finger, proximal phalanges offinger of ring finger and middle phalanges offinger of the pinky) of boys was significantly thicker than girls (t = 2.291, 3.151, 3.131, 2.814, 2.235, 2.129, all P 0.05). Conclusion The development of phalange bones of children aged 7 - 12 is in accordance with the specific changes of development at different stages.