Low bone mass in children and adolescents.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and micro architectural alterations of bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility and increased fracture risk. Although research in osteoporosis has focused mainly on the role of bone loss in the elderly population, it is becoming increasingly clear that the amount of bone that is gained during growth is also an important determinant of future resistance to fractures. Thus, considerable interest is being placed on defining preventive strategies that optimize the gain of bone mass during childhood and adolescence. Knowledge of the determinants accounting for the physiologic and genetic variations in bone accumulation in children will provide the best means toward the early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This article reviews the techniques available for bone mass measurements in children and the major determinants and diseases influencing bone accretion during childhood and adolescence.