Bisphosphonates, a new treatment for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in children.

BACKGROUND

Long-term corticoids used as a treatment for rheumatic diseases are the most frequent cause of osteoporosis in the pediatric population. Bisphosphonates have been proved to be useful in treating osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of pamidronate in corticoid-induced osteoporosis in children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten children affected with rheumatic diseases and osteoporosis underwent biannual cycles of intravenous pamidronate (4 to 12 cycles). Complete clinical, radiological, biochemical and densitometric follow-up was performed at every treatment cycle.

RESULTS

Good clinical and radiological evolution was observed in most of our patients; no new vertebral fractures were reported. Good densitometric evolution has been linked to the onset of puberty (rise in IGF-I levels) and low values for inflammatory activity markers (ESR and CRP). Self-limited hyperthermia and mild abdominal pain were observed during pamidronate infusion, but no other side effects were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Pamidronate is a safe and useful treatment for corticoid-induced osteoporosis in the pediatric population.