[Glucocorticoid treatment and osteoporosis in children].
Glucocorticoid (GC) -induced osteoporosis is defined as a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone, leading to increased fragility and susceptibility to fracture due to GC excess. The main mechanisms of GC-induced osteoporosis are a decreased bone formation and increased bone absorption. Although diagnosis criteria and recommendations for the prevention and treatment of GC-induced osteoporosis are established in adults, there are no criteria and recommendation for children. Bisphosphonate, the most effective drug for the treatment of GC-induced osteoporosis in adults, is not approved for the treatment of GC-induced osteoporosis in children. And there in no available data that GC-induced osteoporosis would affect the peak bone mass and senile osteoporosis or not. Diagnosis criteria and recommendations for the prevention and treatment of GC-induced osteoporosis should be established in children.
Satomura
Kenichi
K
Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Metabolism, Osaka Medical Center and Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health.