[Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis: a new observation].

UNLABELLED: Idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis is a rare form of bone demineralization which occurs during childhood. The mechanism of disease remains unknown. We report a new case which illustrates the main difficulties of diagnosis and treatment.

CASE REPORT: A 7 year old girl was admitted because of painful disability of her lower limbs. Diagnosis was based on radiological signs, total bone density and bone histologic pattern. Plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatases, 25-OH D3 and parathormone were within the normal range value. Other diseases associated with bone demineralization, such as enteric malabsorption, endocrine or tumoral diseases, were excluded. Recovery occurred after some months of treatment with calcium, vitamin D and rehabilitation, but we could not establish a clear causal relationship.

CONCLUSION

The relative role of increased bone resorption or defective osteoblast function remain to be discussed. Recovery often occurs with or without treatment, but sequelae can lead to disability.