[Clinical observation of osteoporosis in adolescents]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of clinical and biochemical symptoms of osteoporosis in 15 children aged from 10 to 18 years. In this group were 7 children with idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis, 2--with osteogenesis imperfecta and 6 children with secondary osteoporosis. The diagnosis of osteoporosis was based on the result of densitometric examination. The examination was performed with dual-energy X-ray absor-ptiometry (DEXA), with modality by Lunar. Anamnesis and clinical symptoms supported by X-ray examination of the painful region were used as a standard procedure. Biochemical examinations of calcium-phosphorus metabolism included ions and PTH concentrations in blood serum, and the activity of bone isoenzyme of AP. Besides, ions excretion and total hydroxyproline in 24 hrs collection of urine were assessed. The results of our investigations showed that in children with osteoporosis clinical and biochemical abnormalities were various. Pain in the lower limbs and weakening of muscle strength were the most frequently observed clinical symptoms. Among biochemical indices, urine excretion of hydroxyproline and increased concentration of isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase were of the greatest practical significance.