Bone, like every other tissue in the body, is constantly being broken down and rebuilt. When new bone tissue is formed, older bone is dismantled and removed.

In childhood and adolescence, this rebuilding process runs quickly. After the early twenties, the pace begins to slow. Most people reach their peak bone mass at around 30 years old. After that, bone mass gradually declines over time.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become weak and extremely fragile. In severe cases, even a minor fall or everyday strains such as bending forward or coughing can lead to a fracture. People with osteoporosis most often break bones in the hip, wrist, or spine.

Under normal circumstances, the body constantly replaces old bone with new bone. In osteoporosis, this balance is disturbed: new bone is formed too slowly to keep up with bone loss, so the bones steadily become thinner and more fragile.

Osteoporosis in Children

Osteoporosis can affect both males and females and is most commonly associated with older adults. As people age, everyone faces some risk of losing bone density. However, do you know that children can also develop osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis in children and teenagers is uncommon. When it does occur, it is considered a rare bone disorder in which bone becomes abnormally thin during childhood and adolescence.

In children, osteoporosis is generally divided into two main types:

• Primary Osteoporosis

Primary osteoporosis develops in children with not other medical condition that would explain their low bone density. The exact cause is often unclear. It is thought to arise from an intrinsic abnormality in bone formation and is frequently linked to genetic factors.

Osteogenesis imperfecta is the most common form of primary osteoporosis. This inherited condition involves genetic changes that reduce collagen production. As a result, the skeleton that forms in their body is abnormal and very prone to fractures.

• Secondary Osteoporosis

Secondary osteoporosis, on the other hand, occurs as a consequence of other health problems, including:

• Diabetes

• Arthritis

• Hyperthyroidism

• Hyperparathyroidism

• Cushing’s syndrome

• Malabsorption syndromes

• Anorexia nervosa

• Nutritional problems

• Kidney disease

• Cystic fibrosis

• Sickle cell anaemia

• Turner syndrome

• Leukaemia

In addition, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury are also frequently associated with osteoporosis in children.

Recognising Osteoporosis Symptoms in Children

Symptoms of osteoporosis in children can vary depending on the type and underlying cause. In some cases, the condition is only detected when a doctor performs imaging tests such as X-rays.

Signs that may suggest osteoporosis include:

• Pain in the hips, lower back, or ankles

• Difficulty walking

• A hunched upper back (kyphosis)

• A sunken or caved-in chest

• Loss of height

Children with osteoporosis need timely and appropriate treatment, because their fragile bones will increase the risk of fractures and can interfere with their growth. Without proper management, there is a risk of permanent disability.

Even so, diagnosing osteoporosis in children is often difficult and complex. A bone density scan is usually needed to detect the condition in children and establish an accurate diagnosis.

You should take your child to a doctor promptly if you notice a sudden decrease in height, increasing weakness, difficulty moving or walking, or complaints of pain in the ankles or lower back.

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