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Bone Health in Pediatric Patients with IBD: What Is New?

  • Rare Bone Disease (C Langman and E Shore, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Osteoporosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of the Review

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased bone fragility, demonstrated by increased fracture risk, and often have low bone density and altered bone geometry, but the underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood.

Recent Findings

Children and adolescents with IBD appear to have decreased bone formation, at diagnosis, which frequently improves with treatment of their underlying IBD. There is a growing body of evidence regarding how the immune system interacts with bone metabolism. There are likely multi-factorial etiologies that contribute to suboptimal bone accrual and subsequent lack of peak bone mass attainment in growing patients with IBD. There appears to be differential effects dependent upon IBD sub-type and bone compartment.

Summary

Pediatric patients with IBD require recognition of several risk factors that may adversely impact their bone accrual. Future studies are necessary to further delineate the effects of IBD on pediatric bone health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Rebecca J. Gordon & Catherine M. Gordon

  2. Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Catherine M. Gordon

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Correspondence to Rebecca J. Gordon.

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Drs. Rebecca Gordon and Catherine Gordon declare no conflict of interest.

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Gordon, R.J., Gordon, C.M. Bone Health in Pediatric Patients with IBD: What Is New?. Curr Osteoporos Rep 19, 429–435 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-021-00691-x

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