Near-Adult Heights and Adult Height Predictions Using Automated and Conventional Greulich–Pyle Bone Age Determinations in Children with Chronic Endocrine Diseases

Abstract

Objectives: To validate adult height predictions (BX) using automated and Greulich–Pyle bone age determinations in children with chronic endocrine diseases. Methods: Heights and near-adult heights were measured in 82 patients (48 females) with chronic endocrinopathies at the age of 10.45 ± 2.12 y and at time of transition to adult care (17.98 ± 3.02 y). Further, bone age (BA) was assessed using the conventional Greulich–Pyle (GP) method by three experts, and by BoneXpert™. PAH were calculated using conventional BP tables and BoneXpert™. Results: The conventional and the automated BA determinations revealed a mean difference of 0.25 ± 0.72 y (p = 0.0027). The automated PAH by BoneXpert™ were 156.26 ± 0.86 cm (SDS − 2.01 ± 1.07) in females and 171.75 ± 1.6 cm (SDS − 1.29 ± 1.06) in males, compared to 153.95 ± 1.12 cm (SDS − 2.56 ± 1.5) in females and 169.31 ± 1.6 cm (SDS − 1.66 ± 1.56) in males by conventional BP, respectively and in comparison to near-adult heights 156.38 ± 5.84 cm (SDS − 1.91 ± 1.15) in females and 168.94 ± 8.18 cm (SDS − 1.72 ± 1.22) in males, respectively. Conclusion: BA ratings and adult height predictions by BoneXpert™ in children with chronic endocrinopathies abolish rater-dependent variability and enhance reproducibility of estimates thereby refining care in growth disorders. Conventional methods may outperform automated analyses in specific cases.