emj-4-18
emj-4-18
Received Sep 6, 2023 Recent advances in medicine have led to an increase in the number of children and adolescents
Accepted Oct 6, 2023
treated for various chronic diseases and cancer. Increasingly sophisticated genetic analysis techniques
have also clarified some genetic factors that contribute to bone fragility. Osteoporosis, characterized
Corresponding author
Il Tae Hwang
Department of Pediatrics, Kangdong
Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University
by reduced bone mass and skeletal fragility, can result from primary or secondary causes that originate
College of Medicine, 150, Seongan-ro, in childhood and adolescence, which are critical periods for bone mineral acquisition. It is essential
Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05355, Korea
Tel: 82-2-2224-2257 to identify children and adolescents at risk of fractures due to osteoporosis, and early intervention is
crucial. Conservative management strategies, such as treating underlying diseases, replacing deficient
Fax: 82-2-483-8334
E-mail: ithwang83@[Link]
Key Words
hormones, providing nutritional support to meet calcium and vitamin D requirements, and encouraging
Adolescent; Child; Osteoporosis; regular physical activity, should be prioritized. Pharmacological treatment should be initiated in a timely
Pamidronate
manner following a comprehensive bone health examination. Intravenous pamidronate therapy has
been safely and effectively administered to children and adolescents, although long-term follow-up is
necessary. Further investigation is needed regarding bone fragility fractures of unknown etiology and
the application of new medications for pediatric use.
Introduction
Osteoporosis is a disorder characterized by a decrease in bone mass and changes in bone
tissue micro-architecture, leading to skeletal fragility and an increased risk of fractures [1].
Historically, osteoporosis was considered an adult disease. However, it is now understood to have
roots in childhood and adolescence, as these are the periods when bone mass and architecture
are accumulated. The total bone mass reaches its peak a few years after the long bone epiphyses
have fused. This maximum bone mass an individual can achieve is referred to as peak bone mass
(PBM). A significant portion of PBM is determined by unmodifiable genetic factors [2]. However,
other factors such as hormones, immobility, nutrition, pubertal timing, increased cytokines,
and certain medications can also impact bone health. Therefore, chronic illnesses and specific
osteotoxic treatments during childhood and adolescence can affect PBM accrual, leading to
low bone mineral density (BMD). Low BMD during these formative years can increase the risk of
fractures in youth, potentially leading to osteoporosis and fractures in adulthood. The incidence of
fractures in children and adolescents is on the rise, with fractures resulting from a combination of
intrinsic and extrinsic factors [3]. As such, it is crucial to assess bone health and adopt preventive
measures early in children and adolescents at risk for low BMD. This article reviews the diagnosis,
© 2023 Ewha Womans University College of Medicine and Ewha Medical Research Institute
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Osteoporosis in Children and Adolescents
causes, and management of osteoporosis in children and adolescents, with the aim of applying
this knowledge to the clinical field for the evaluation and treatment of pediatric osteoporosis.
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Osteoporosis in Children and Adolescents
or immobility [12]. Specifically, children and adolescents with reduced mobility due to cerebral
palsy or myopathy should receive a lateral spine X-ray examination at 6−8 years of age [13]. The
bone condition of patients chronically treated with GCs requires careful follow-up, including a
lateral spine X-ray before the initiation of GCs and regularly during treatment. Follow-up lateral
spine X-rays are recommended according to the patient's risk factors, with a follow-up period
ranging from 6 months to 2 years [14].
Physical examination and laboratory findings can provide us with clues to distinguish between
various diseases that cause osteoporosis. The following clinical presentations may suggest
congenital bone fragility: skin laxity, blue sclerae, abnormal dentition, easy bruising, a dysmorphic
face, joint hypermobility, and wormian bones. In such instances, inheritable osteoporosis may
be identified through molecular analysis. Genetic analysis has also revealed disease-causing
variants of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) associated genes in individuals who have a significant
history of fractures but no extraskeletal symptoms [15]. Conversely, there have been instances
of fragility fractures with unknown causes and mechanisms, despite negative genetic testing
results. This highlights the need for further research into monogenic and polygenic determinants
of skeletal strength. Hormonal studies should be conducted to diagnose or exclude hormone-
deficient states. Bone turnover markers such as type 1 procollagen, carboxy-terminal
telopeptides, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin can be useful in monitoring medical therapy
[16].
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are also affected by growth hormone deficiency and thyroid disorders, leading to secondary
osteoporosis. Hyperparathyroidism, which can result from parathyroid adenoma, chronic renal
failure, disorders related to vitamin D metabolism, and multiple endocrine neoplasms, can
enhance bone resorption by stimulating the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand
(RANKL) and reducing osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels due to an excess of parathyroid hormone
[20]. In addition to endocrinologic disorders, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, and renal disorders
can also contribute to the development of secondary osteoporosis (Table 1). Childhood
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cancer survivors often have low BMD due to the cancer itself, the effects of chemotherapy
and radiotherapy, accompanying hormonal deficiencies, and poor nutritional status [21]. GC
treatment is necessary for children and adolescents with certain chronic diseases, including
cancer. Excessive GCs, whether iatrogenic or not, can directly or indirectly inhibit bone formation
while increasing bone resorption [22]. Direct effects include upregulation of PPAR-γR2,
increased sclerostin expression, and an increased RANKL/OPG ratio. Secondary hypogonadism,
reduced calcium resorption, and decreased insulin-like growth factor-1 production can indirectly
affect bone remodeling [22]. Therefore, patients receiving GC treatment for more than three
months require special attention. A higher cumulative dose and longer duration of GC treatment
are risk factors for low lumbar BMD in pediatric patients with chronic diseases [23].
1. Conservative measures
The Committee on Pediatric Bone Health of the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology
has published clinical practice guidelines for optimizing bone health [26]. These guidelines
recommend calcium and vitamin D supplementation, lifestyle changes, and regular physical
activity for children and adolescents with chronic diseases to help prevent osteoporosis.
Additionally, maintaining a healthy body composition and ensuring adequate hormonal status are
also advised for optimal bone health.
Calcium and vitamin D supplementation improves BMD, particularly in children and
adolescents with a low-calcium diet or decreased vitamin D concentration [27,28]. Calcium-
rich foods are preferred over calcium tablets or powder. The recommended daily calcium
requirements range from 500 mg to 1,000 mg according to age [26]. The 25-OH-vitamin D
level should be maintained above 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) [29]. Vitamin D must be prescribed
for patients with chronic diseases with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL. In individuals with low
BMD (Z-score≤–2.0), vitamin D supplementation should be considered when vitamin D levels are
below 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) [14]. However, meta-analyses of vitamin D supplementation have
shown no effects on BMD or fracture risk when the baseline 25-OH-vitamin D level is >16 ng/
mL (40 nmol/L) [30]. The maintenance dose of vitamin D is 400 IU for children below 1 year old
and 600 IU for children over 1 year old. Calcium and vitamin D should be provided to all children
and adolescents taking GCs, particularly when treatment lasts over 3 months. Healthy dietary
supplements that contain appropriate calories, proteins, and vegetables or fruits containing
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vitamins and minerals are also helpful for maintaining bone health [26].
Regular physical activity may enhance bone quality and strength, as the mechanical forces
exerted on the bone aid in bone remodeling [31,32]. Weight-bearing exercises, including
running, jogging, jumping, and resistance training, can boost bone mineral acquisition in children,
especially during early puberty [31]. However, excessive exercise may also heighten the risk
of fractures, underscoring the need for careful monitoring and control of activity intensity. For
optimal bone health maintenance, a sedentary lifestyle should be avoided. Furthermore, an
extremely lean physique can impact PBM accrual in adolescents, indicating the importance of
maintaining an appropriate body weight [33].
2. Drug therapy
Bisphosphonates are the most frequently used medications for treating osteoporosis. These
are synthetic analogs of pyrophosphate that inhibit osteoclastic function and decrease bone
remodeling. Bisphosphonates are commonly prescribed to individuals with primary osteoporosis,
such as OI. Current research indicates that oral or intravenous bisphosphonates can enhance
BMD and decrease the frequency of fractures in both children and adults with OI [34,35].
Bisphosphonate therapy has proven to be effective and safe for both secondary and primary
pediatric osteoporosis [36]. Bisphosphonates can significantly improve BMD in conditions
of bone fragility related to disuse, such as cerebral palsy [37]. Intravenous bisphosphonate
therapy can alleviate back pain and improve the vertebral height ratio when used to treat painful
vertebral fractures in Duchenne muscular dystrophy [38]. Furthermore, bisphosphonates are
well tolerated in childhood cancer survivors with low BMD [21].
Several bisphosphonates exist, each with varying potency and dosage (Table 2). Oral
bisphosphonates are typically considered for mild cases or those without vertebral fractures [39].
However, the efficacy and safety of oral bisphosphonates in children have not been well studied.
If oral bisphosphonates are contraindicated or vertebral fractures are present, an intravenous
bisphosphonate should be used [14]. Intravenous pamidronate (3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene-
bisphosphonate) is primarily used in children and adolescents, and can be administered to
children under 2 years of age. The dosage, interval, and duration of pamidronate may vary based
on the center's or clinician's experience (Table 2). Zoledronic acid (ZA), a highly potent third-
generation intravenous bisphosphonate, is increasingly being used in children and adolescents
[40]. Recent studies have shown that ZA significantly improved BMD in children and adolescents
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Conclusion
Personalized therapy, guided by a comprehensive risk factor assessment, is necessary
for treating osteoporosis in children and adolescents. It is crucial to identify those at risk of
osteoporotic fractures for early intervention. Conservative management can enhance BMD in
this population, given the potential for spontaneous recovery of bone health. However, it is also
essential to initiate an optimal pharmacological approach to prevent significant morbidity, such
as irreversible bone deformity. Unkown etiology and mechanism of bone fragility need to be
clarified. Additional research is needed to determine the efficacy, safety, dosage, and treatment
duration of medical interventions, including new drugs.
Acknowledgements
Not applicable.
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Conflict of Interest
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
ORCID iD
Hye Young Jin: [Link]
Eu Seon Noh: [Link]
Il Tae Hwang: [Link]
Author Contribution
Conceptualization: Jin HY, Hwang IT
Investigation: Jin HY, Noh ES
Writing – Original Draft: Jin HY
Writing – Review & Editing: Jin HY, Noh ES, Hwang IT
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