title: [Osteoporosis in childhood and adolescence].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review recent data concerning osteoporosis and osteopenia in childhood and adolescence, focusing on diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review of Medline and Lilacs databases (1992 to 2002).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Childhood osteoporosis is defined and classified. Imaging and laboratory diagnostic techniques are emphasized, as well as prevention and drug treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatricians should identify the risk factors for osteoporosis and guide patients in terms of its prevention and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lúcia M A
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Bernadete L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Liphaus
authors.forename: Clóvis A A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Rosa M R
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors