title: [Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva in children. The interest of early diagnosis and treatment].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A rare genetic disease (with around a hundred cases in France), fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is characterized by heterotopic ossification and congenital malformation of the bones. It is worsened by physical trauma, progresses in successive flares and slowly results in total confinement of the children because of the calcification of the muscles and ankylosis of all the joints.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of two children exhibiting fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva in whom diagnosis was delayed at the age of 4 and 18 months respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva must be diagnosed during the neonate period. Early treatment will help to avoid the factors of aggravation, slow the progression of the disease and provide the children with improved quality of life. Unfortunately, there is no efficient treatment, bisphosphonates and corticosteroids are only beneficial during the flares. Hope for the future relies on gene therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinique pédiatrique Saint-Antoine, Hôpital Saint Vincent de Paul, Université catholique de Lille. thierrydzukou@infonie.fr
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dzukou
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbier
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spyckerelle
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Labarrière
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vittu
authors.forename: Odile
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kremp
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009221:Myositis Ossificans / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone