It measures the bone mineral density in the lower spine, hip or whole body. At a certain low point on the bone density scale, the diagnosis is given. The exact point of low bone density diagnosed as osteoporosis varies in children, adolescents and adults. Currently, DEXA scans are not routinely performed unless an individual is thought to be at an increased risk, based on nutritional or medical factors. New technologies are available to screen for the possible development of osteoporosis in the future, including one to measure the heel bone by ultra-sound.
Bone development occurs almost entirely in childhood and adolescence.
About 25 percent of the lifetime bone mineral accum-ulation occurs during the three to four years around the pubertal growth spurt. The accumulation of bone mass is completed a year or two after teenagers stop their linear growth. In girls, this important period of bone growth is about 10 to 14 years of age and is over by about 16. In boys, the process occurs about a year or two later, so the most important period is about 12 to 16 years. The first descriptions of bone problems in people with CF were usually related to bone fractures that occurred after lung transplantation in patients with severe lung disease and other symptoms.