Pediatric Rheumatology Online Journal August 2003 Bone → Abstract #146


IDIOPATHIC JUVENILE OSTEOPOROSIS (IJO). A 7 YEAR FOLLOW UP CASE

V. C. S. Ramos, C. M. M. Albertini, D. A. B. Buttros, G. S. Novaes, M. T. Aidar

1Department of Rheumatology, Pontific Catholic University of Sao Paulo, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil

IJO is a transitory osteometabolic disease described as diffuse osteoporosis with bone fractures. The etiology is unknown and diagnostic made by exclusion of other causes. Its course is considered self-limited with spontaneous recovering after pubertal maturation. We report a case with 7 years of clinical evolution and still without resolution.
A 10 year-old caucasian boy got pain in the right foot, ankles and knees that worse while walking, with progressive course. His physical examination disclosed muscle atrophy of lower limbs. Otherwise, his physical and mental development was normal. Ankles and knees X-ray showed diffuse osteopenia. Lumbar spinal X-ray disclosed flatten vertebra. Urinary calcium was increased (312 mg/24h). At this time, the following laboriatorial test determination were realized: WBC, ESR, ANA, rheumatoid factor, serum protein eletrophoresis, phosphorus, calcium, cortisol and calcitonin, urinanalysis, faecal lipids, antigliadin antibody, PTH, and Thyroid hormones, which were all at normal range.
The BMD is expressed as g/cm and compared with age matched values.
BMD(Jan 97) L2-L4 0,292age matched 0,875±0,05
BMD(May 99) L2-L4 0,745 "" 1,117±0,05
BMD(Oct 02) L2-L4 1,035 "" 2,173±0,05
BMD(Jan 97) Neck 0,242 "" 0,695±0,05
BMD(May 99) Total body 0,808 "" 1,616±0,05
BMD(Oct 02) Total body 0,967 "" 2,417±0,05
During these 7 years he had fractures in right and left femoral bone with epifisary sliding and in second metatarsus of right foot.The interval between these fractures was 6 months and were antedated by minor traumas. He evolved without complaints, but with low stature. He was treated with vitamine D and calcium carbonate for 4 years and sodium alendronate in a dose of 10 mg/day for 2 years. In october 02, sexual hormones (testosterone,FSH,LH) were determinated and the results point out the patient had achieved adulthood, but remains with persistent osteoporosis.
The findings here described are against statements found previously in medical literature that IJO has spontaneous recovery after pubertal maturity.