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Paediatric Metabolic Bone Disease: A Lifetime Ahead
1Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Metabolismo Óseo y Mineral, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación, RedinRen ISCIII, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. gomezcarlos@uniovi.es.
Insights
This review covers genetic metabolic bone diseases in children, detailing their causes, effects, and treatments. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing these conditions and preventing long-term health issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Skeletal Biology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Bone is vital for locomotion, support, and organ protection, and it regulates mineral balance.
- Bone remodeling, a continuous cycle of resorption and formation, maintains bone mass and growth.
- Disruptions in bone remodeling lead to bone disorders with significant clinical implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review major genetic metabolic bone diseases in children.
- To elucidate their pathophysiological mechanisms.
- To discuss therapeutic interventions and long-term adult consequences.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of genetic metabolic bone diseases in pediatric populations.
- Analysis of pathophysiological pathways.
- Synthesis of current therapeutic strategies and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Genetic metabolic bone diseases in children manifest as fractures, deformities, and pain.
- Accurate diagnosis through biochemical and genetic testing is essential for effective management.
- These conditions require timely intervention to prevent persistent or worsening symptoms into adulthood.
Conclusions:
- Genetic metabolic bone diseases necessitate a comprehensive understanding of their mechanisms.
- Effective management involves precise diagnosis and tailored therapeutic approaches.
- Long-term follow-up is critical to address adult consequences of childhood bone diseases and their treatments.
Abstract:
Beyond its functions in locomotion, support and protection of vital organs, bone also interacts with other organs to adjust mineral balance in response to physiological requirements. Bone remodelling is a continuous process of bone resorption and formation for the purpose of maintaining healthy bone mass and growth. Any derangement in this process can cause bone disorders with important clinical consequences. The most prominent features of bone diseases in children include early bone fractures, deformities and pain, which can persist and worsen later in life if an accurate and timely diagnosis is not achieved. Biochemical and genetic testing usually help to discriminate the aetiology of the disease, which determines the subsequent management and follow-up. This review focuses on major genetic metabolic bone diseases in children, their pathophysiological mechanisms, the potential therapeutic interventions and the possible consequences in adulthood of the disease and its treatments.
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