Osteoporosis is a disease that can cause a reduction in bone mass that puts you at risk for bone fracture. In most cases, osteoporosis is seen in adult women after menopause. However, in children and adolescents may develop juvenile osteoporosis. This often occurs in children between the ages of 8 to 14 years. But sometimes the disease progresses, and at an earlier age, during growth spurts.
Juvenile osteoporosis in children is difficult to detect. Pictures of bone density are the most accurate way to determine the premature loss of bone mass. But this type of survey can not hold as well as adults, that would make an accurate diagnosis of the child. Doctors usually diagnose juvenile osteoporosis, if there are signs of the fragility of the skeleton. This can occur when fractures occur without trauma, such as a significant drop, and an indicator of bone mineral density below -2.0.
Types of juvenile osteoporosis
There are two types of juvenile osteoporosis: secondary and unknown origin.
Secondary osteoporosis refers to osteoporosis, which developed as a result of another disease. This is the most common type of juvenile osteoporosis. Some illnesses may lead to the development of osteoporosis in children, including:
Juvenile arthritis
Diabetes
Cystic Fibrosis
Leukemia
Brittle bones ("glass bones")
Homocystinuria (genetic metabolic disease)
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism
Cushing's syndrome
Malabsorption syndromes
Anorexia nervosa
Kidney disease
Sometimes juvenile osteoporosis is a direct result of the disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, for example, children may have lower bone density than it should be, especially in arthritic joints. Certain medications can also lead to a youthful osteoporosis. This may include chemotherapy for cancer, anti seizure anticonvulsants or steroids for arthritis. If your child suffers from one of these diseases, talk to your doctor about carrying out a thorough examination of bone density.
Osteoporosis of unknown origin means that the cause of the disease is unknown. This type of juvenile osteoporosis is less common. As of 1997, in the medical literature, it was reported 150 cases. In boys, the disease occurs more frequently than girls. The disease most often develops just before the onset of puberty. Bone density in children increases during puberty. Although at the time of puberty, most of the density of bone mass may be resumed, in children with juvenile osteoporosis is usually a lower peak bone mass than adults.
Whatever the reason, juvenile osteoporosis is a serious disease. 90% of your bone mass is formed at the age of 18 - 20 years. Loss of bone mass in the process of bone formation may expose the child at serious risk of complications in the future, such as fractures.
The symptoms of juvenile osteoporosis
Symptoms of the disease juvenile osteoporosis include:
Back pain, hip, knee, ankle and foot
Difficulty in walking
Breaks legs, ankles or feet
Treatment for juvenile osteoporosis
The type of treatment your child depends on the cause of the disease. If the cause of the disease juvenile osteoporosis is a disease, the best way to treat osteoporosis is the treatment of this disease. If a cure for the disease is another factor of juvenile osteoporosis, a transition to another medication. If the other does not exist, it is possible to reduce the destruction of bones by taking a smaller, but also an effective dose of medication.
To date, there is no medicine or surgery in the case of juvenile osteoporosis disease of unknown origin. It is important to protect your child from the skeleton fractures. Perhaps he will have to use crutches or other support. And perhaps he should avoid contact sports, which exposed him to the risk of fractures.
None of the drugs that are taken for the treatment of adult osteoporosis, is encouraged not to accept children. To date, one study conducted on the drug Fosamax, which can help children with juvenile osteoporosis.
All children, including those with juvenile osteoporosis, it is necessary to maintain such a lifestyle that promotes a healthy skeleton. It includes a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, protein, and safe exercise. Many experts also believe that children with juvenile osteoporosis should undergo bone density screening at least every year during adulthood.
