A child develops osteoporosis when there is a severe decrease in bone density. This is usually due to a fundamental defect in the skeletal system, and many symptoms appear that indicate it, the most important of which is difficulty walking. Here it is necessary to immediately go to the treating physician for the correct diagnosis and begin the treatment journey so that the child’s condition does not deteriorate. It is important to choose a reliable place for treatment such as Al-Mousa Specialized Center, which has an elite group of the most skilled doctors in various medical fields. For more information about osteoporosis in children, follow the article with us.
What is osteoporosis in children?
It is one of the most common bone diseases in the elderly, but this does not prevent it from appearing in adolescents as well as children. It is a bone disease that occurs due to a severe deficiency in bone density.
This clearly affects its structure, making it more susceptible to fracture due to its brittle nature, which is a rare disorder that causes weak bones in childhood.
Note that Osteoporosis In children, it is a compression fracture of the spine despite the absence of any trauma or local disease leading to it, according to what was reported by the International Society for Bone Densitometry.
When a child is repeatedly exposed to a fracture before the age of 10 years, that is, two or more times, the doctor diagnoses the condition as osteoporosis in children. This is in addition to cases in which the child is exposed to a fracture in the long bones more than once at the age of 19 years.
Causes of osteoporosis in children
There are many causes that lead to osteoporosis in children, the most important of which are the following:
First: the primary reasons
Osteoporosis in children is usually due to some initial cause, which is usually hereditary or the result of something unknown, as this causes a fundamental defect in the skeleton, resulting from some genetic characteristics that cause a deficiency in collagen, which leads to the formation of unhealthy and weak bones.
Approximately one in every 20,000 children around the world appears in the form of incomplete bones.
Second: Secondary causes
There are many secondary causes that may lead to children developing osteoporosis, and they are as follows:
- Nutritional disorders.
- Spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, and various diseases associated with poor movement.
- Having diabetes.
- The child has leukemia.
- Suffering from food malabsorption syndrome.
- The child suffers from anorexia nervosa.
- Anemia is one of the most prominent causes of osteoporosis in children, specifically Sickle cell anemia.
- The child suffers from kidney disease.
- Overactivity of the thyroid gland.
Third: lifestyle
The current technological development has led to the emergence of many unhealthy lifestyles that depend on lack of movement and eating unhealthy foods rich in unhealthy substances, which has led to the emergence of osteoporosis.
Fourth: Take some medications
Osteoporosis in children usually occurs as a result of taking certain medications, such as all of the following:
- Cancer medications.
- Epilepsy medications.
- Immunosuppressive medications.
- Medicines used to treat arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms of osteoporosis in children
There are a group of symptoms that appear in a child when he suffers from osteoporosis, the most important of which are the following:
First: the known reasons
Osteoporosis in children occurs due to a number of known causes, the symptoms of which are as follows:
- The child is exposed to repeated fractures, especially when tripping on the sidewalk or strong shocks, usually in the long bones.
- Compression fractures occur in the spine, leading to spinal deformity and loss of height over time.
Second: unknown reasons
There are a group of symptoms that appear when suffering from osteoporosis, especially when the causes are unknown, and they are as follows:
- Feeling severe back pain as a result of these fractures.
- Back curvature due to osteoporosis is also known as kyphosis.
- Feeling pain in the ankle, hip and lower back.
- Loss of height.
- Difficulty walking and limping.
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How is osteoporosis diagnosed in children?
Osteoporosis, especially in children, can be diagnosed through several different methods, the most important of which are the following:
1. Examination
When a child suffers a fracture, especially when it is repeated, he resorts to a specialist doctor, who will physically examine the child, as well as find out his medical history, in addition to requesting some tests.
- Blood tests
Blood tests help determine the levels of some nutrients in the body, especially potassium and calcium.
- Bone density test
It is one of the most important diagnostic procedures that aims to identify the structural changes that occur in the bones, in addition to determining their mineral content.
- X-ray of the skeleton
X-rays help reveal all the contents of internal organs, tissues and bones, making it easier to diagnose osteoporosis.
Treatment of osteoporosis in children
There are many methods that are relied upon when wanting to treat osteoporosis in children, the most important of which are the following:
1. Get vitamin D
Osteoporosis in children is treated by ensuring that the child obtains balanced levels of vitamin D through exposure to the sun for no less than 10 minutes in the summer and half an hour in the winter.
- Increase the proportion of calcium in the diet
The mother makes sure that the child eats foods rich in calcium, especially dairy products, nuts, and leafy vegetables.
- Take vitamin D and calcium supplements
Calcium and vitamin D supplements are used if necessary, but only after consulting a trusted doctor and choosing a specialized place such as Al-Mousa Specialized Center.
- Protecting the child from fractures
The mother must ensure that the child is not exposed to fractures as much as possible, and must be completely away from physical contact.
- Exercise
Resorting to a specialized center such as Al-Mousa Specialized Center in order to obtain a training program that contributes to strengthening bones, while taking care to avoid fractures.
- Change medications
Sometimes osteoporosis in children is caused by taking a certain type of medication, and this requires stopping it, reducing the dose, or replacing the medication.
Complications of osteoporosis in children
There are many complications that a child is exposed to as a result of osteoporosis, and they are as follows:
- Curvature in the upper spine.
- Poor growth.
- Frequent fractures.
- Collapse of the rib cage.
- Permanent disability.
Those at risk of osteoporosis
There are a number of groups that are more susceptible to osteoporosis than others, and they are as follows:
- Postmenopausal women.
- Women after ovarian removal.
- Men who suffer from low levels of estrogen and testosterone in the body.
- Getting older.
- People with a family history of osteoporosis.
- People with a low BMI of less than 19.
- People with appetite disorders.
- People who have undergone obesity surgery.
- People with some diseases such as liver, kidney, or some types of tumors.
In conclusion, we would like to point out that osteoporosis in children is a rare matter as it is more susceptible to the elderly, but it usually affects children and the cause is unknown, but with attention to the correct treatment, most cases recover, with care being taken to choose a reliable place that has doctors specialized in this field, and it is preferable to resort to Al-Mousa Specialized Center, which has an elite group of the most skilled doctors, and they have a high degree of experience and competence.
Frequently asked questions
Does a pediatric osteoporosis patient recover?
Complete recovery from osteoporosis in children is considered difficult, but it is not impossible, especially with methods and methods that help in treating the condition, such as going to a specialist doctor, taking medications, and resorting to physical therapy.
What fruit strengthens bones?
Dried apricots, figs, dates, prunes and raisins.
When is bone pain serious in children?
If it is continuous, and is accompanied by swelling and redness, with difficulty moving the part that contains the pain, in addition to a feeling of warmth in the affected area.
Sources
Osteoporosis in children – betterhealth
Osteoporosis – emedicine
