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- Talk
- 15/09/2021
- Canada
Recurrent Low-Energy Fractures in Otherwise Healthy Children May Indicate Bone Fragility
Description
This text presents a detailed overview of a study focused on recurrent low-energy fractures in healthy children, indicating a potential underlying bone fragility. Alicia Kerrigan, the presenter, outlines the relevance of identifying children who experience multiple fractures, particularly those who might be exhibiting mild bone fragility despite appearing healthy. Through a comprehensive approach, the study aimed to identify and characterize clinical traits and phenotypic data of children who have recurrent low-energy fractures.
The discussion identifies key statistics about fractures in children, including their prevalence and the most common injury types. It highlights specifics regarding study criteria, which included children under nine years with a history of at least two low-energy long-bone fractures, and those over ten with three such fractures or prior vertebral compression fractures.
The study reported data on fracture sites and individual histories, mentioning a notable proportion of children with asymptomatic vertebral fractures. While no significant abnormalities in blood work were found, low normal vitamin D levels were noted in some cases, alongside bone density assessments revealing a mean z-score indicating potential bone health concerns.
The overall conclusion emphasizes the need for clinicians to be alert to the potential for underlying bone fragility in children with recurrent fractures, advocating for further assessments, the potential role of imaging studies, and a multidisciplinary approach for effective ongoing care and monitoring. This approach includes inputs from several specialties to enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for affected children.