Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026
11:47
A Novel in vivo Gene Transfer Technique and in vitro Cell Based Assays for the Study of Bone Loss in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published on: June 8, 2014
Osteopenia and osteoporosis in children
1Department of Child Health, University of Missouri, Columbia 65212, USA.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|May 26, 1999
Summary
Childhood chronic illnesses can impair skeletal growth, leading to osteopenia and increased fracture risk in adulthood. Early intervention is crucial for establishing peak bone mass and preventing future osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
- Growth and Development
Background:
- Skeletal maturation involves bone formation exceeding resorption in children, crucial for achieving peak bone mass.
- This process is vital for preventing future skeletal fragility, including osteopenia and osteoporosis.
- Chronic illnesses in children can disrupt normal skeletal accretion processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review normal skeletal accretion physiology in children.
- To identify skeletal growth abnormalities in children with chronic illnesses.
- To discuss therapeutic strategies for preventing or correcting skeletal growth abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of skeletal physiology.
- Analysis of the impact of chronic illness on bone development.
- Synthesis of clinical data on therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Skeletal growth concludes with epiphyseal closure, making adolescence critical for peak bone mass.
- Inadequate peak bone mass during adolescence leads to osteopenia and increased fracture risk.
- Therapeutic interventions can potentially mitigate skeletal growth abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Osteopenia and osteoporosis originate in childhood and adolescence.
- Understanding and addressing skeletal growth in pediatric patients is essential for long-term bone health.
- Clinicians can employ strategies to optimize skeletal development in children with chronic conditions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:02What is the Skeletal System?
Overview
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during bone...
01:22The Functions of the Skeletal System
The most apparent functions of the skeletal system are support, protection, and movement. However, bone tissue also performs several other critical metabolic functions. For one, the bone matrix acts as a reservoir for a number of minerals important to the functioning of the body, especially calcium and phosphorus. These minerals, present in the bone tissue, can be released back into the bloodstream when required. Calcium ions, for example, are essential for muscle contractions and controlling...
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones, which interact with the skeletal system. These hormones control bone growth, maintain bone once it is formed, and remodel it.
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...