The Quantitative Parameters Derived from IDEAL-IQ in the Lumbar Vertebrae of Healthy Children: A Pilot Study of Bone Development

Motivation: Early childhood bone development affects that of bone disease in adolescence and adulthood. Many diseases can affect the cancellous bone or bone marrow. Therefore, it is of great significance to quantify the bone development of healthy children. Goal(s): To quantify the normal bone development and provide a basis for further studies focusing on diseases involving lumbar vertebrae. Approach: This study was conducted to quantify the fat and cancellous bone content of lumbar vertebrae in healthy children based on IDEAL-IQ. Results: As the age increased, the average PDFF and R2* both increased significantly. No association was found between the gender and PDFF, R2*. Impact: As the age increased, the average PDFF and R2* of lumbar vertebrae both increased significantly in healthy children. These findings will probably improve our understanding of the bone development and enable differential diagnosis other diseases of children’s bone.