Efficacy and safety of alendronate for the treatment of osteoporosis in diffuse connective tissue diseases in children - A prospective multicenter study

Objective. Osteopenia/osteoporosis is being increasingly reported as a comp lication of many chronic diseases, even in children. In this preliminary st udy, we evaluated the effect of an oral bisphosphonate (alendronate) on bon e mass in children with diffuse connective tissue diseases. Methods. Thirty-eight children with low bone mass were treated with alendro nate for 1 year; 38 children who had the same primary disorders as the stud y patients but in a less severe form served as untreated control patients. We were also able to evaluate changes in bone mass (before and after alendr onate) in 16 of the treated patients whose bone mineral density (BMD) had b een routinely measured before the present study was initiated. Results. BMD increased by a mean +/- SD of 14.9 +/- 9.8% (P < 0.002 versus baseline) in the treated patients (reaching the normal range in 13 patients ), while the BMD was 2.6 +/- 5% (not significant versus baseline) in the co ntrol group (15 had a decrease). Most interestingly, there was a large incr ease in BMD (15.3 +/- 9.9%) after alendronate therapy in the 16 children wh o had their BMD followed up in the year before the study, during which time they had shown little increase in BMD (1.03 +/- 6.3%), and often a decreas e. Considering their condition, increases in the height of all patients was satisfactory. No new fractures were observed after alendronate therapy was initiated. Conclusion. Bisphosphonates can be considered essential components of the t reatment of secondary osteoporosis, not only in adults, but also in pediatr ic patients. Alendronate has a positive effect on secondary osteopenia/oste oporosis In children with connective tissue diseases.