Importance and Accuracy of Bone Age Ratings in a Computerized Growth Evaluation System

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Abstract
Bone age ratings according to Greulich and Pyle, and to Tanner and co-workers of 88 children from 2 pediatric endocrine centers were compared with ratings from 2 trained technicians and independent ratings from a consulting pediatric endocrinologist. Considering the mean of all ratings as ''true bone age'', the mean errors of the individual estimations were small (0.15-0.38 yr for the Greulich and Pyle method, 0.12-0.27 yr for the method according to Tanner and co-workers). Only in 2 of 338 ratings were differences larger than 1 yr observed. In these 2 cases, there was marked dissociation between the maturation of carpal and phalangeal bones. Estimations of bone maturation can be carried out reliably by properly trained technicians.