5 Things You Need to Know About Pediatric Bone Diseases

1. Pediatric Bone Disease Has Many Forms

There are many types of pediatric bone diseases and their origin can be inherited, due to another medical condition, idiopathic (of unknown origin), or as a result of the individual's behavior. Two pediatric bone diseases include pediatric osteoporosis and osteogenesis imperfecta. Pediatric osteoporosis is likely the result of another medical condition, while osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited illness, or genetic disorder.

2. Low Bone Mass in Children Is Rare, But Does Occur

Osteoporosis can occur in children, but this condition is not very common. The loss of bone mass is generally due to another medical condition, but it can also be of unknown cause. Potential medical conditions that cause osteoporosis in children may be genetic disorders, a disease that impacts bone development, or a condition that necessitates a medications with a side effect of reducing bone mass. For example, corticosteroids are used in the treatment of juvenile diseases, such as asthma, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and muscular dystrophy, but consequently impact bone mass development. Osteoporosis is very serious in children because the most import years of bone development occur during these younger years. Additionally, children with low bone mass are more likely to fracture their bones.

3. Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta May Suffers Many Fractures

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder resulting from imperfectly formed collagen, the material that combines with calcium to form bone. This characteristic imperfect collagen is a result of a mutation (an error) on a gene and is not caused by inadequate calcium intake or poor nutrition. As a result, these children break bones with little or no trauma. Osteogenesis imperfecta sufferers consequently often experience a high number of fractures in their lifetime. OI is also known as "brittle bone disease."

4. Bone Is a Living Tissue

Bone undergoes continual breakdown and bone formation, as it is a living tissue. The constant remodeling process occurs during the years of childhood and adolescence when more bone is formed than broken down since their bones are still growing. Bone mass generally peaks in our late twenties; therefore, childhood and adolescence is an important time to build strong bones.

5. Physical Activity and Proper Nutrition Promote Bone Health

Physical activity and good nutrition are essential in keeping kids' bones healthy. Physical activity, particularly weight-bearing activity, builds strong bones and muscles. Weight-bearing physical activity includes movements when the body works against gravity or carries its own weight, for example, walking, jogging and push-ups. Proper nutritional components to promote bone health include foods rich in vitamin D and calcium. Not many foods in nature contain vitamin D, but you will find this vitamin in fish, such as salmon and tuna, as well as smaller amounts of Vitamin D in some mushrooms, cheese and egg yolks. Calcium can be found in milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines and orange juice among other foods.