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Published on: January 29, 2018
A Comprehensive Review of Bone Health in a Child: From Birth to Adulthood
Sean A Tabaie1, Alana E O'Mara, Evan D Sheppard
1From the Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Children's National Hospital (Tabaie, Sheppard, and Tosi), and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC (O'Mara).
Insights
Pediatric osteoporosis, or poor bone health in children, is often underdiagnosed due to limitations in current definitions. Early screening and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial for managing childhood bone disorders.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Childhood bone health is vital for growth and development.
- Fractures in children without trauma suggest underlying bone health issues.
- Current definitions of pediatric osteoporosis may lead to underdiagnosis.
Approach:
- Review of current pediatric osteoporosis definitions and diagnostic limitations.
- Discussion on optimal screening initiation timing and bone assessment techniques.
- Identification of primary and secondary causes of pediatric osteoporosis.
Key Points:
- Underdiagnosis of pediatric osteoporosis is a concern due to definition limitations.
- Various bone health assessment techniques have distinct benefits and drawbacks.
- Several primary and secondary conditions can impair pediatric bone quality.
Conclusions:
- A multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective therapeutic management.
- Optimizing patient outcomes requires improved care for pediatric bone health disorders.
- Addressing underdiagnosis and identifying diverse etiologies are key to better pediatric bone health.
Abstract:
Bone health is critical for growth and development during childhood. Although fractures are common in children, fractures occurring in the absence of trauma should prompt physicians to consider underlying bone health disorders. This article provides an overview of the current definition of osteoporosis in children, highlighting its limitations and the potential for underdiagnosis. It also discusses the timing of screening initiation and various techniques used to assess bone health, along with their respective benefits and limitations. In addition, this article identifies several causes of primary and secondary osteoporosis in children, shedding light on previously overlooked disorders that can contribute to poor bone quality. The article emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to therapeutic management and aims to optimize patient outcomes and improve the overall care of pediatric bone health disorders.
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