Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis

Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis is a rare form of bone demineralization wh ich occurs during childhood The mechanism of disease remains unknown. We re port a new case which illustrates the main difficulties of diagnosis and tr eatment. Case report. - A 7 year old girl was admitted because of painful disability of her lower limbs. Diagnosis was based on radiological signs, total bone density and bone histologic pattern. Plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatases, 25-OH D-3 and parathormone were within the normal ra nge value. Other diseases associated with bone demineralization, such as en teric malabsorption, endocrine or tumoral diseases, were excluded. Recovery occurred after some months of treatment with calcium, vitamin D and rehabi litation, but we could not establish a clear Causal relationship. Conclusion. - The relative role of increased bone resorption or defective o steoblast function remain to be discussed. Recovery often occurs with or wi thout treatment, but sequelae can lead to disability. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Pa ris.