Why is it necessary to measure bone age?

Generally, bone age assessment is performed through X-ray examination of the bones in the wrist, fingers, and other areas to determine whether an individual's biological age corresponds to their chronological age. It can be used for growth and development evaluation, endocrine disease diagnosis, genetic disease diagnosis, prediction of physiological development, assessment of developmental potential, and sexual maturation trends. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Growth and Development Evaluation

Bone age, short for skeletal age, helps determine a child's developmental level and assess whether bone growth is within the normal range.

2. Endocrine Disease Diagnosis

Conditions such as thyroid dysfunction, adrenal cortical hyperplasia, or adrenal insufficiency may also affect bone growth and development. Bone age testing assists physicians in further understanding the condition.

3. Genetic Disease Diagnosis

Certain genetic disorders, such as cerebral palsy and heart disease, may present with similar clinical symptoms. Bone age testing, as an important auxiliary method, helps physicians make a definitive diagnosis in combination with other diagnostic tests.

4. Prediction of Physiological Development

Bone age assessment not only helps predict the timing of menarche but also predicts a child's adult height, providing important information regarding children's growth to parents.

5. Assessment of Developmental Potential and Sexual Maturation Trends

Bone age testing can reveal a child's growth potential and trends in sexual maturation, helping parents and physicians better understand the child's developmental status and take appropriate measures to promote healthy growth.

By measuring bone age, physicians can more accurately evaluate the growth and development status of children and adolescents, which has broad clinical application value.