Osteoporosis in children: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Osteoporosis in children is a disease of the bone tissue of the body. The essence of this disease is that human bones become fragile, their density decreases, and they become susceptible to fractures.

Some time ago, this disease was not diagnosed in children, but was considered exclusively an adult ailment. But now the situation has changed. Now this diagnosis is made to children.

Intrauterine acquired osteoporosis. Why arises?

As a rule, osteoporosis in children is diagnosed during puberty. But also this disease can occur at an earlier age.

Possible congenital osteoporosis in children. The reasons for its appearance may be different. Let's look at them:

1. Premature babies are prone to osteoporosis.
2. Hypoxia can cause a disease like osteoporosis in children.
3. Hypotrophy.
4. Various placental pathologies.
5. If a woman carries twins or triplets, then future children are at risk of osteoporosis.
6. A short break between births.
7. Violation of the normal rhythm of life in compliance with the regimen of a pregnant woman.
8. Any chronic diseases of the girl who carries the child.
9. Bad habits of the expectant mother, such as drinking alcohol, smoking and taking drugs.

A one-year-old child has osteoporosis. Why?

In addition to intrauterine acquisition of osteoporosis, it can also be diagnosed in the first year of a child's life. For what reasons does the disease appear in young children? The reasons may be the following:

1. Refusal of the mother from breastfeeding. Feeding babies with artificial mixtures. Especially poor quality.
2. Vitamin D deficiency
3. Impaired intestinal function for absorption of nutrients.
4. Shortage of sunlight.
5. Poor hygiene.

Teenage years. Why does the disease occur?

Reasons why osteoporosis occurs in children during puberty:

1. The use of alcohol, tobacco and substances containing narcotic substances.
2. Malnutrition, lack of dairy products.
3. Sedentary lifestyle.
4. Unfavorable living conditions, poisoning by radiation or toxins.
5. If a teenager is not involved in physical education, then this may be one of the causes of osteoporosis.
6. Chronic diseases of organs such as the stomach, kidneys and liver.
7. Inflammatory processes in the body, such as tuberculosis and others.

Some medications cause osteoporosis.

In addition to the above reasons, there is one more that can appear in any age period. Taking certain medications can also lead to the development of such a disease.

These medicines include:

1. Hormonal drugs made on the basis of glucocorticosteroid substances.
2. Medicines intended for use against seizures are anticonvulsants.
3. Chemotherapeutic agents.
4. The use of antibiotics such as Tetracycline and Cyclosporin.
5. Medicines aimed at lowering the level of acidity in the stomach.

Disease

Also a common cause of osteoporosis are chronic diseases associated with metabolic disorders in the body. These include diabetes, leukemia, arthritis, thyroid dysfunction and others. If osteoporosis is present in the child's body, then, as a result, the possibility of various fractures increases, and the general condition worsens. Therefore, you need to see a doctor and get medical help.

How to determine that a child has osteoporosis?

The age of the child determines the occurrence of difficulties in diagnosing osteoporosis in the body by external signs, since they simply do not exist. Initially, short pains appear during osteoporosis in the spine or legs. Then, rapid fatigue of the body is noted. Fatigue is observed when one is in some position, for example, sitting or lying on one’s side. If the disease continues to progress, then the pain in osteoporosis increases and becomes constant and aching. Also, a child may have a bone fracture without causing injury. This type is spontaneous. As a rule, these fractures undergo such parts of the body as the elbow and shoulder, and the neck of the thigh.

External signs

By what external parameters can it be determined that the child has osteoporosis (ICD-10 has identified sections M80-M82 for this disease)? Now consider the signs:

1. Growth retardation.
2. The child’s posture changes, namely, the deflection in the lumbar region is removed, the stomach sticks out, and the rib cage is rounded more than normal.
3. Skin folds become asymmetrical. This is due to the fact that the spine deviates in one direction.

We carry out an x-ray. Are the signs of the disease visible on the pictures?

Diagnosis of this disease has certain difficulties. In order to make a diagnosis, it is necessary to observe the child for a certain time. Also, if a child has fractures, then their x-ray images show certain signs of osteoporosis.

1. The upper layer of bone tissue does not have the necessary density.
2. Change in the shape of the vertebrae, namely they have a wedge-shaped appearance.
3. A thin layer of the outer layer of the bone.
4. Remodeling of bone tissue from one site to another.

Densitometry

It is even more difficult to diagnose osteoporosis in young children, since a disease such as rickets has similar symptoms. But there is a method for determining osteoporosis in young children, namely densitometry. Using this method, bone mineral density can be detected. After the diagnosis of osteoporosis is made, the doctor prescribes the necessary therapy. Treatment of a child is made individually, since it is necessary to take into account the age and characteristics of the body of a patient.

Treating children

What you need to know before treating osteoporosis? ICD-10 divides the disease into two types - primary and secondary. Before conducting therapy, it is worth determining the type.

A childhood illness is treatable. The main thing is not to delay, but to take all necessary measures to restore the body and follow the doctor's prescriptions.

1. First of all, the doctor prescribes a special diet for the child, which includes foods that contain large amounts of protein, calcium and phosphorus. Diet for osteoporosis is one of the main elements of treatment.
2. After a certain time, physiotherapy exercises are mandatory. Exercise is necessary to protect the body from any bone changes. There are certain complexes of physical exertion that will provide a healing effect for the child's body.
3. If the child has pain that is difficult to tolerate, the doctor prescribes pain medications to treat osteoporosis.
4. The corsets to be worn are selected for the child.

Preparations

In addition to diets, exercise and corsets, drugs are prescribed to treat osteoporosis and to eliminate the main symptoms of the disease. These include:

1. Calcitonins and estrogens. These drugs can be of both natural origin and synthetic production. Their effect on the body is aimed at strengthening the bones of the tissue. The doctor prescribes short courses for taking these drugs. Consult with your doctor about which calcium is best taken.
2. Steroid anabolics and growth hormones. These drugs are necessary for building bone.
3. Vitamin D and Osteogenon are always prescribed. These drugs are necessary to normalize the metabolism in the child's body. Violation of its functions is the main cause of softening of bone tissue.

If possible, it is better to avoid the use of hormonal drugs, as they can cause complications in the work of other organs and systems of the child’s body. Therefore, if it is possible to carry out treatment and restore the body without taking hormones, then it is better not to use them. And confine yourself to such treatment methods as the diet for osteoporosis, the intake of calcitonins and vitamins.

There are folk recipes for strengthening bone tissue. These include eggshells with lemon juice, infusions of comfrey and St. John's wort herbs. Calcium for osteoporosis is necessary. Herbal infusions will not cause harm, but before using these medicinal products, it is better to consult a doctor.

Preventive measures to prevent osteoporosis

To maintain bone tissue in a healthy state, it is useful to give the child vitamin complexes, which include vitamin D, magnesium, calcium. Which calcium is better, a doctor can determine. It is also necessary to provide the child with proper nutrition, enriched with useful trace elements and vitamins. In addition, the regime of the day and physical education should be respected. It is necessary to accustom the child to a healthy lifestyle, so that the teenager does not have thoughts about drinking alcohol or drugs. You should also tell the younger generation about the dangers of smoking. The best way to explain the right things to your child is to use your own example.

If parents will lead a healthy lifestyle, walk, play sports, then the child will have a vivid role model in front of his eyes. You should instill in the adolescent knowledge that it is necessary to monitor the state of your body and treat it carefully and carefully. If something worries, then you do not need to wait, but contact a medical institution to provide timely assistance. A balanced diet, walks in the fresh air, physical activity will ensure good health and good mood for the child.