Clinical significance of skeletal age assessment in children

Bone development is influenced by a number of factors, including nutrition, hormonal secretions, and genetics.Skeletal age assessment(SAA)is a clinical procedure, which is used in determining the skeletal age(SA)of children and adolescents.The selection of evaluation methods, the difference of evaluation techniques, and the influence of disease can affect the accuracy of SAA.Currently, the main clinical methods for SAA are the Greulich-Pyle(GP)and Tanner -Whitehouse(TW)methods.The GP method has the advantage of being quick and easy to use.The method of TW, however, seems to be more reliable than the GP method.In China, the CHN method is also used.With the development of technology, the computer automatic SAA and ultrasonic SAA are gradually applied in clinical practice.The SAA plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of endocrine diseases, such as short stature and precocious puberty, and also in the children′s growth and development.In order to improve the accuracy of SAA, this article reviews the related methods, techniques and clinical applications. Key words: Skeletal age; Endocrine disease; Final adult height