Estimation of skeletal age using radiographic
images is widely used for assessing biological growth in
clinical and auxological studies. The most frequent areas
used for age estimation in children and adolescents are
tooth and wrist/hand, both giving good results with only a
low level of radiation. In particular, ossification of the
carpals shows good agreement with chronological age. This
study of a sample of 150 Italian children and adolescents
aged between 5 and 17 years focused on analyzing the
possible applications of the proportion of carpal area (Ca)
mineralization as a criterion of age estimation. The ratio
between the total area of carpal bones and epiphyses of the
ulna and radius (Bo) andCa was calculated. This ratio (Bo/Ca)
was used for linear regression analysis. The regression model,
describing age as a linear function of the ratio Bo/Ca, yielded
the following equation: Age= 123.253+0.719g+20.610 Bo/Ca,
and explained 83% of the total variance (R2=0.83). The
median of the absolute values of residuals (observed age
minus predicted age) was 0.08 years, with a quartile deviation
of 1.59 years, and a standard error of estimate of 1.19 years