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Bone protective agents in children

Claire Louise Wood1,2, S Faisal Ahmed3

  • 1Division of Developmental Biology, University of Edinburgh Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|October 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Evaluating childhood bone health is crucial for preventing osteoporosis and fractures. This review covers bisphosphonates and other bone protective agents for pediatric use, as no specific treatments are currently licensed for children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Childhood bone health evaluation is vital for identifying inadequate bone mineralization.
  • Early identification can guide interventions to reduce osteoporosis and fracture risks in children.
  • Currently, no bone-protective agents are specifically licensed for pediatric osteoporosis prevention or treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanism of action and clinical use of bisphosphonates in children.
  • To discuss established and novel bone-protective agents for pediatric application.
  • To address the gap in licensed osteoporosis treatments for pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of bisphosphonates and other bone-protective agents.
  • Analysis of pharmacological mechanisms and clinical evidence in pediatric studies.
  • Synthesis of information on established and emerging treatments for pediatric bone health.

Main Results:

  • Bisphosphonates demonstrate efficacy in improving bone mineral density in children with various conditions.
  • Several other agents are under investigation or used off-label for pediatric bone health.
  • The review highlights the need for further research and potential for new therapeutic options.

Conclusions:

  • Bisphosphonates are a key therapeutic option for pediatric bone health despite lack of specific licensing.
  • Emerging agents show promise for the future management of pediatric osteoporosis.
  • Optimizing bone health in children requires careful consideration of available and novel bone-protective agents.

Keywords:
bone diseasetherapeutics

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