Juvenile Osteoporosis

Juvenile osteoporosis is a condition in which a child’s body lacks the proper bone density to support proper growth and physical development. It is characterized by weakened bones and sometimes pain in the lower back, foot or hip. It can also cause physical deformities such as a barrel chest, a hump back or leg and foot issues that lead to a persistent limp. In kids, osteoporosis may occur as a result of an underlying medical condition such as hyperparathyroidism, juvenile arthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, a malabsorption syndrome, kidney disease, diabetes, leukemia, cystic fibrosis, an eating disorder, insufficient dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D and Cushing syndrome. Treatments for juvenile osteoporosis are dependent upon its cause in individual cases, but may include prescription medications, physical therapy and protective measures to safeguard against injury and keep bones intact.