Osteoporosis in Children
What is it?
Osteoporosis is a progressive decrease in bone density, which weakens the bones and makes them break more
easily.
Who gets it?
Osteoporosis in children is a rare condition.
What causes it?
Osteoporosis in children can be caused by other medical conditions or the medications used to treat them. This is called secondary osteoporosis, and most often occurs with diseases such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, dermatomyositis (a skin condition), asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, hormonal disorders, and muscular dystrophy. All of these conditions are treated with corticosteroids, which have been shown to cause a decrease in bone mass. These conditions may also limit a child's physical activity, which is essential in building bone mass. Secondary osteoporosis can also be caused by anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder. Some children have genetic disorders, which are present at birth, that prevent the bones from forming properly, such as osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). When the cause of osteoporosis is unknown, it is called idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO).
What are the symptoms?
Children with osteoporosis may complain of an aching pain in their bones. Their bones break easily from a simple fall, called an atraumatic fracture. Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) have bones that break very easily, with little or no trauma. Symptoms range from mild to severe, with some children suffering hundreds of fractures in their lifetime. Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO) occurs in seemingly healthy children between the ages of 8 and 14, just before puberty begins. Symptoms include atraumatic fractures, often in the lower limbs; pain from the lower back down to the ankles; and difficulty walking. IJO usually runs a course of two to four years, then goes away without any permanent disability or growth
problems.
How is it diagnosed?
Osteoporosis in children is diagnosed through a combination of symptoms, a physical examination, and bone x-rays. Some screening methods used to measure bone density in adults can also be used in children, such as a technique called heel ultrasound. These types of techniques can be useful in monitoring bone density in children who are at risk for developing osteoporosis because of existing medical
conditions.
What is the treatment?
Secondary osteoporosis is treated by effectively treating the underlying medical condition and monitoring the amount of medication given to treat the condition. Your doctor will make sure the smallest effective dose is prescribed, or that an alternative medication is used if possible. Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis (IJO) are treated by protecting the spine and other bones from fracture.
Self-care tips
Strong bones need calcium to grow. The best source of calcium for children is low-fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Other foods that are rich in calcium include tofu, fortified soy milk, broccoli, and dark, leafy greens. Calcium-fortified orange juice is also a great source of calcium if your child will not drink milk.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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