Deep learning-based automatic measurement of the femoral head ossification center in healthy Korean children: development of a novel radiographic growth chart

QuestionThe timing of FHOC appearance is an important radiographic indicator; however, manual measurement is subjective, and studies on age-specific changes remain limited. FindingsA DL-based algorithm achieved high agreement with expert measurements, and age-based regression reliably predicted FHOC size in children. Clinical relevanceAI-derived FHOC growth charts may provide objective, standardized references for pediatric hip joint development, potentially enabling earlier detection of growth abnormalities and improving diagnostic consistency in clinical practice.