Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
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
Bisphosphonates, a new treatment for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in children
1Pediatrics Department, Unitat Integrada Hospital Sant Joan de Déu-Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
Long-term corticoids used as a treatment for rheumatic diseases are the most frequent cause of osteoporosis in the pediatric population. Bisphosphonates have been proved to be useful in treating osteoporosis.
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy of pamidronate in corticoid-induced osteoporosis in children.
Patients And Methods:
Ten children affected with rheumatic diseases and osteoporosis underwent biannual cycles of intravenous pamidronate (4 to 12 cycles). Complete clinical, radiological, biochemical and densitometric follow-up was performed at every treatment cycle.
Results:
Good clinical and radiological evolution was observed in most of our patients; no new vertebral fractures were reported. Good densitometric evolution has been linked to the onset of puberty (rise in IGF-I levels) and low values for inflammatory activity markers (ESR and CRP). Self-limited hyperthermia and mild abdominal pain were observed during pamidronate infusion, but no other side effects were reported.
Conclusions:
Pamidronate is a safe and useful treatment for corticoid-induced osteoporosis in the pediatric population.
Related Concept Videos
01:40Bone Remodeling
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
01:29Bone Disorders
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
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...
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
01:23Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption