Osteoporosis in children and adolescents

There is currently no consensus definition of osteopenia and osteoporosis in children according to bone mineral density (BMD) values measured by cool energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), interpretation of BMO measures Most take into account the child's weight and pubertal status. In children, primary forms of osteoporosis - juvenile idiopathic osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta - ore rare; on the other hand, the frequency Of secondary osteoporosis is increasing. Fractures, especially of the forearm, ore frequent in children. During the peck growth period, bone growth and mineralization ore dissociated, in consequence temporary bone fragility promotes fractures. Several recent studies show that children with fractures hove reduced BMD and that the occurrence of fractures in children may constitute a risk factor for osteoporosis and fracture during adulthood. In cases of secondary osteoporosis, close monitoring of the causal disease is the key element of treatment, there ore very few controlled studies of the prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in children.