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eMedicine Journal > Pediatrics > Nutrition
Osteoporosis

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: osteoporosis, low bone mass, osteopenia, juvenile osteoporosis
Author Information | Introduction | Clinical | Differentials | Workup | Treatment | Medication | Follow-up | Miscellaneous | Test Questions | Bibliography

AUTHOR INFORMATION Section 1 of 11    Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Authored by Gordon L Klein, MD, MPH, Professor, Departments of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Texas Medical Branch

Gordon L Klein, MD, MPH, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Gastroenterological Association, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society for Nutritional Sciences, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Sigma Xi, and Society for Pediatric Research

Edited by Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN, Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Long Island College Hospital; Professor of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine; Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc; Jatinder Bhatia, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Vice Chairman for Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia; Merrily P M Poth, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; and Jatinder Bhatia, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Chief, Section of Neonatology, Vice Chairman for Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia

Author's Email:Gordon L Klein, MD, MPHClick here to view conflict-of-interest information on the author of this topic
Editor's Email:Steven M Schwarz, MD, FAAP, FACN 

eMedicine Journal, May 4 2006, VOLUME 7, Number 5
INTRODUCTION Section 2 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines osteoporosis as a bone density (or bone mass) that is at least 2.5 standard deviations below peak bone mass (defined as the bone mass achieved by healthy adults aged 18-30 years). Standard deviation from the mean peak bone mass is termed the T score. Thus, a T score of the lumbar spine or hip at least 2.5 standard deviations below the norm defines a condition of osteoporosis.

Although functionally valid for adults, this definition creates difficulty when evaluating pediatric patients. Children have not attained peak bone mass, and sufficient data correlating bone density with fractures are not available. Although preliminary studies have examined the role of lumbar spine bone density and the risk of fracturing in children with burn injuries, more extensive population-based studies have not been conducted. Therefore, the official definition of osteoporosis does not pertain to children at the present time. However, at an NIH Consensus Conference in 2000, osteoporosis was defined as a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength that predisposes to an increased risk of fracture. Adult-onset osteoporosis also involves loss of bone trabecular structure; however, no evidence indicates that this occurs in children. Therefore, children exhibiting low bone mass are defined as osteopenic, not osteoporotic. With the rapid advances in technology for quantitation of bone mass, the definitions of osteoporosis, osteopenia, and even osteomalacia may have to be revised in the future.

Pathophysiology: Low bone density in children involves the net loss of bone. Bone density is currently a 2-dimensional measurement. It is the quotient of the bone mineral content (BMC) measured in grams by absorptiometry in a specified bone region (eg, hip, lumbar spine), divided by the bone area (BA) in cm2 to give a reading in g/cm2. This 2-dimensional method of assessing bone density is limited because changes in bone volume, and therefore bone strength, cannot be detected. This leads to an inaccurate estimation of the severity of bone loss or the skeletal response to treatment. Pathways to decreased bone density all lead to an imbalance between the rate of bone formation and the rate of bone resorption. Thus, low-turnover conditions, such as hypoparathyroidism, burn injuries, or conditions that affect bone marrow (eg, malignancies) or their treatments, may result in a reduction of bone formation.

Other high-turnover states, such as Paget disease or hyperparathyroidism, can result in an increase in bone resorption. Interestingly, almost all preterm infants fall into this group. Since the majority of calcium is transmitted from mother to fetus during the third trimester, infants born prematurely do not receive all the calcium their body needs to mineralize normally. With rapid postnatal increase in bone turnover, there are fewer opportunities for the bones to mineralize, as recently shown by Naylor et al. Furthermore, the majority of these children receive total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for at least the first 3 weeks of life. TPN solutions are contaminated with aluminum; therefore, these infants remain at risk for bone aluminum accumulation and consequent decreased mineralization. In addition, calcium and phosphorus requirements cannot be met by TPN, and the infant, especially the very premature infant, presents with hypophosphatemic metabolic bone disease.

Frequency:

Mortality/Morbidity:

Race:

Sex:

Age:

CLINICAL Section 3 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

History:

Physical:

Causes:

DIFFERENTIALS Section 4 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic


Other Problems to be Considered:

In children, osteopenic conditions can develop because of low bone formation (low bone turnover) or high bone resorption (high bone turnover).

The following conditions elicit low bone formation:


Conditions giving rise to high bone turnover include the following:

WORKUP Section 5 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Lab Studies:

Imaging Studies:

Histologic Findings: Because of the availability of kits to measure biochemical markers of bone turnover, the use of bone histology obtained by iliac crest bone biopsy is no longer routine. Histology for bone biopsies generally is carried out using quantitative histomorphometry. For patients older than 10 years, administer tetracycline or one of its analogs 14 days before biopsy and then 2 days prior to biopsy. Using one of several specialized orthopedic needles, obtain a biopsy consisting of a 6-mm core of trabecular bone tissue.

When processed, the amounts of mineralized bone, unmineralized bone, and bone surface can be quantitated. In addition, the tetracycline binds to newly calcified bone at the mineralization front, which is the boundary between mineralized bone and unmineralized matrix where new bone forms. Each time a dose of tetracycline is administered, it forms a band at the mineralization front that can be detected under a fluorescent microscope. The distance between the 2 fluorescent bands can be quantitated. When divided by the time interval between doses and multiplied by the length of bone surface taking up the tetracycline yields, the rate of new bone formation is achieved. The eroded or resorbed bone surface also can be quantitated, and all can be compared to reference values for age.

Perform these studies if analysis of bone markers and other biochemical determinations are inconclusive regarding the nature of the activity of the bone in a particular condition. These studies also form the basis for validating the biochemical bone marker analyses.

TREATMENT Section 6 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Medical Care:

Surgical Care:

Consultations:

Diet:

Activity:

MEDICATION Section 7 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Therapy includes antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates (eg, alendronate, risedronate, pamidronate). Hormone replacement therapy (eg, estrogen, estrogen analogs) does not have a role in pediatric therapy.

Drug Category: Bisphosphonate bone-resorption inhibitors -- Prevents bone loss from diminishing bone mass on an ongoing basis. Available in parenteral and oral dosage forms for acute and chronic treatment respectively.
Drug Name
Pamidronate (Aredia) -- Inhibits normal and abnormal bone resorption. Appears to inhibit bone resorption without inhibiting bone formation and mineralization. Administered intravenously, usually 2 doses with a 1-wk interval. Approved for use in hypercalcemia of malignancy and Paget disease. Also has been used in children suffering from osteopenic bone disease.
Adult Dose60-90 mg/dose IV administered over 8-24 h; dilute in dextrose and water solutions
Dose based on serum calcium measurements
Pediatric DoseNot established; experimental studies use 1.5 mg/kg/dose IV; not to exceed 90 mg/dose (published results are promising)
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; hypocalcemia, cardiac failure, and renal impairment
InteractionsCalcium or vitamin D may antagonize the antihypercalcemic effects of the drug
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsCarcinogenicity and mutagenicity are not observed; decreased fertility and increased mortality observed in rats when administered PO; no known effects on breastfeeding
Monitor hypercalcemia-related parameters, such as serum levels of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and potassium once treatment begins; adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D is necessary to prevent severe hypocalcemia; caution when administering bisphosphonates in patients with active upper GI problems
Drug Name
Alendronate (Fosamax) -- An oral bisphosphonate approved as an antiresorptive agent to treat Paget disease and postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Adult DosePaget disease: 40 mg PO qam 30 min before first food or beverage; continue treatment for 6 mo
Postmenopausal osteoporosis treatment: 10 mg PO qam 30 min before first food or beverage; alternatively, 70 mg PO qwk
Administer dose with 6-8 oz of plain water
Pediatric DoseNot established
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; limited data in small open-labeled studies have been published
InteractionsDietary supplements, food, and medicines may interfere with absorption; medications (eg, antacids) interfere with absorption; histamine receptor antagonists (eg, ranitidine, cimetidine) can interfere with absorption; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents can exacerbate inflammatory effects
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsGI conditions (eg, duodenitis, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers) may worsen; renal functional impairment may reduce excretion of the drug; tumors increased in rats with larger than recommended doses for 2 y; mutagenicity has not been observed; no effect on fertility; effects on pregnancy and reproduction not known; hypocalcemia can occur in pregnancy following exposure; unknown whether alendronate enters human breast milk
FOLLOW-UP Section 8 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Further Inpatient Care:

Further Outpatient Care:

In/Out Patient Meds:

Transfer:

Deterrence/Prevention:

Complications:

Prognosis:

Patient Education:

MISCELLANEOUS Section 9 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

Medical/Legal Pitfalls:

Special Concerns:

TEST QUESTIONS Section 10 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic

CME Question 1: Which of the following complicates the diagnosis of osteoporosis in the pediatric patient?


A: Lack of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure bone density in small patients
B: Lack of standard bone mass measurement data
C: Inability of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry to measure changes in bone volume
D: Inability to perform quantitative histomorphometry on pediatric bone biopsies
E: Insufficient data to define the relationship between bone density and fracture incidence in pediatric patients

The correct answer is E: The World Health Organization has data for adults and can define the disease in that context; however, data have not been adequately collected in pediatric patients.

CME Question 2: Which of the following is the chief cause of osteopenia in pediatric patients?


A: Genetic causes
B: Adverse effects of medications (eg, corticosteroids)
C: Inability to synthesize estrogens
D: Imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption (favoring resorption)
E: Imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption (favoring formation)

The correct answer is D: Only a predominance of bone resorption results in bone loss or osteopenia, regardless of etiology.

Pearl Question 1 (T/F): All of the following drugs can cause low bone density if administered chronically: corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, cyclosporin, methotrexate, and heparin.

The correct answer is True: All of these drugs can cause low bone density when administered chronically.

Pearl Question 2 (T/F): The most common presentation of a child with osteopenic bone disease is bone pain.

The correct answer is False: Chronic underlying disease is the most common presentation. While the majority of patients have no symptoms referable to the skeleton, there is no reason to suspect osteopenia unless chronic disease is present.

Pearl Question 3 (T/F): Bed rest can cause osteopenia.

The correct answer is True: Bed rest can reduce bone formation within 1 week in healthy young adult volunteers.

Pearl Question 4 (T/F): Juvenile osteopenia and adult-onset osteoporosis have the destruction of trabecular architecture in common.

The correct answer is False: Progressive destruction of trabecular architecture occurring in pediatric patients has not been reported.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Section 11 of 11   Click here to go to the next section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page

NOTE:
Medicine is a constantly changing science and not all therapies are clearly established. New research changes drug and treatment therapies daily. The authors, editors, and publisher of this journal have used their best efforts to provide information that is up-to-date and accurate and is generally accepted within medical standards at the time of publication. However, as medical science is constantly changing and human error is always possible, the authors, editors, and publisher or any other party involved with the publication of this article do not warrant the information in this article is accurate or complete, nor are they responsible for omissions or errors in the article or for the results of using this information. The reader should confirm the information in this article from other sources prior to use. In particular, all drug doses, indications, and contraindications should be confirmed in the package insert. FULL DISCLAIMER
eMedicine Journal, May 4 2006, VOLUME 7, Number 5
© Copyright 2001, eMedicine.com, Inc.

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Use the our online Merriam-Webster medical dictionary.