Is it necessary to test bone density in children?

For some new mothers, they are always caught off guard when they are concerned about their children's healthy development and growth, especially whether their children are calcium deficient, why their hair turns yellow, their height and weight are lower than those of children of the same age, etc. These issues make many new mothers very nervous. Bone density tests and trace element tests are the most common solutions. So, is it necessary to test the bone density of children? Let us introduce it to you below.

Recently, many pediatric experts have questioned the scientific nature of bone density and trace element tests. However, bone density and trace element tests are two routine items in infant and young child physical examinations in the pediatrics department, which makes new parents very confused: What is going on?

Bone density and trace element tests are very popular in infant and child physical examinations

Although the bone density and trace element tests for infants and young children were reported by the media as being unscientific in 2006, and pediatric experts on Weibo also conducted a concentrated anti-fraud campaign in April this year, these two tests are still very popular.

It is reported that at present, medical and health care units at all levels in my country, especially maternal and child health care units, children's hospitals, general hospitals, etc., have already made human element (lead, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) testing a routine item.

After asking in a group of mothers, I found out that at least 80% of the mothers have had their babies undergo one of the two examinations. Among the questions asked to Weibo expert doctors on Weibo, bone density and trace element tests are the most common ones. Many media reports show that the explanation for children's habits such as biting their fingers is that they are lacking certain trace elements, and they need to go to the hospital for blood tests.

Regarding bone density testing, Dr. Cui said that there is currently no standard method for testing bone density in children, let alone infants. For children, especially infants and young children in the rapid growth stage, low bone density means that they are in a rapid growth process. This is a good phenomenon, not a sign that calcium supplementation is needed. Excessive calcium supplementation will increase the burden on organs such as the kidneys.

Regarding bone density testing, Dr. Wang Huimin of Beijing United Family Hospital believes that testing bone density in young children is meaningless to the baby's health. If the bone density of a young woman in her 20s is used as the passing standard, then it would be difficult for a two-year-old child to have a low bone density.

According to relevant information, there are many ways to detect trace elements in the human body, including "urine test", "breast test", "blood test", "hair test" and so on. The two most commonly used methods are "blood test" and "hair test". The content of trace elements in the blood cannot represent the content in the body, so blood testing is unreliable.

In addition, as early as 2009, the Ministry of Health issued a document specifically requiring that: "Except for blood lead testing, clinical laboratories of medical institutions shall not conduct clinical testing of other heavy metals and metalloids, and shall not issue clinical testing reports."

Experts said, "Currently, all the results of trace element tests cannot truly reflect the actual levels of macro and trace elements in the body. They must be combined with clinical symptoms. The results of these tests cannot be used as a standard for clinical diagnosis, nor can they be used as a basis for treatment and medication."

The above is a detailed introduction by experts on the knowledge related to children's bone density examination. I believe that now everyone should have some understanding of whether children's bone density examination is necessary. Children need a lot of trace elements during their growth and development stage, especially calcium, iron, zinc, etc. You cannot supplement your baby based on the results of blood tests, but should base it on the baby's development and growth.