[Dual photon absorptiometry in full-term newborns].

BACKGROUND: There is scanty information about bone mineral density in newborns. Normal values are needed to assess the effects of diseases and drugs used during the neonatal period. AIM: To assess bone mineral density in normal newborns. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Total body bone mineral density was measured in 16 newborns with 39 +/- 1.2 weeks of gestational age, using a Norland dual photon densitometer. RESULTS: The mean weight of newborns was 3.366 +/- 325 g. Bone mineral content was 58.3 +/- 10.8 g and bone mineral density was 0.369 +/- 9.6 g/cm2. RESULTS: The availability of normal bone mineral content values in newborns will be useful for the assessment of conditions that affect bone mineralisation.