How to measure bone age in children

The measurement of bone age in children is very simple, like taking a chest X-ray, which is taken standing up and taking pictures of the front and back of the torso. To measure bone age, the wrist bone of the left hand is photographed and the left hand is placed in front of the instrument and irradiated. The radiologist will assess the bone age based on the bone development on the palm of the hand and wrist. The bone age is then correlated with the child’s age to see how the child’s bone age is developing. In addition, tests related to growth hormone such as insulin-like growth factor can be done to make a comprehensive judgment. Bone age measurement is accurate and reliable, not only to determine the biological age of the child, but also to provide an early understanding of the child’s growth potential, trends in sexual maturation, and to predict the child’s adult height.