The best time for children to have their bone age assessed
Disease description:
A child's growth and development rate may differ from that of peers, growing much faster than children of the same age. If you want to have your child's bone age assessed, generally speaking, what is the best time to measure a child's bone age?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
The optimal time for children to undergo bone age testing is generally recommended between the ages of 3 and 15, as this stage is a critical period for children's growth and development. Below are some general recommendations on when to perform bone age testing:
1. 3-6 years old: Bone age testing may be considered for children in this age group if there is apparent growth delay, rapid growth, or a family history of hereditary growth disorders.
2. 7-10 years old: For healthy children, this age range is generally not a routine time for bone age testing. However, a doctor may recommend bone age testing if the child experiences sudden changes in growth rate, signs of precocious or delayed puberty.
3. 11-18 years old: Puberty is the most common period for bone age testing, especially when the child's growth rate, development of secondary sexual characteristics, or age at menarche differs from that of peers. Puberty is the period of most vigorous secretion of growth hormone, and bone age testing can help doctors understand the child's growth potential and predict final adult height.
Bone age assessment primarily involves taking an X-ray of the left wrist to observe the development of the bones and comparing it with standard bone age references, thus determining the child's skeletal age and growth and development status.
