title: Genetics of pediatric bone strength.
abstract: Osteoporosis is one of the most common chronic forms of disability in postmenopausal women and represents a major health burden around the world. Bone fragility is affected by bone mineral density (BMD), and, one of the most important factors in preventing osteoporosis is optimizing peak bone mass, which is achieved during growth in childhood and adolescence. BMD is a complex trait resulting from environmental and genetic factors. Genome-wide association studies have discovered robust genetic signals influencing BMD in adults, and similar studies have also been conducted to investigate the genetics of BMD in the pediatric setting. These latter studies have revealed that many adult osteoporosis-related loci also regulate BMD during growth. These investigations have the potential to profoundly impact public health and will allow for the eventual development of effective interventions for the prevention of osteoporosis.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Jonathan A
authors: JA
authors: Mitchell
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Diana L
authors: DL
authors: Cousminer
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Babette S
authors: BS
authors: Zemel
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Struan F A
authors: SF
authors: Grant
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Chesi