Bone and collagen markers in paediatric practice

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P M Crofton1, C J Kelnar

  • 1Department of Paediatric Biochemistry, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK.

International Journal of Clinical Practice
|January 6, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Biochemical markers of bone turnover offer early insights into growth and treatment response in children. These markers complement bone density measurements, aiding in the assessment of osteoporosis and fracture risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Biochemistry
  • Orthopedics

Background:

  • Biochemical markers of bone and collagen turnover are established predictors of osteoporosis and fracture risk in post-menopausal women.
  • Their role in children, while less studied, is emerging as valuable for assessing bone turnover and growth disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the utility and limitations of biochemical markers in pediatric bone health.
  • To explore their application in various childhood bone disorders.
  • To evaluate their potential in monitoring treatment effects on bone turnover and growth.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on biochemical markers in pediatric bone disorders.
  • Analysis of marker utility in reflecting bone turnover and growth.
  • Assessment of marker sensitivity in detecting early treatment responses.

Main Results:

  • Biochemical markers provide valuable information on recent bone turnover and growth in children.
  • They serve as sensitive indicators of treatment response, often preceding changes in height velocity or bone mineral density.
  • Their application is expanding in various pediatric bone conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Biochemical markers are a useful adjunct to bone mineral density in pediatric bone assessment.
  • They offer early detection of treatment efficacy or adverse effects on bone turnover and growth.
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate their role in diverse pediatric bone disorders.

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