Prevention of Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis in Children

You may be eligible if

• Chronic inflammatory disease or transplant recipient, currently on steroid therapy at supraphysiologic dose (greater than hydrocortisone equivalent of 15 mg/m2/day) for more than 6 months
• Bone age less then 14 years in females, 16 years in males, to correspond to \< 90% of peak BMD
• And
• Presence of glucocorticoid induced bone disease defined by:
• Presence of at least one atraumatic fracture (defined as fracture that occurs during activities of daily living, without a fall), or a vertebral fracture, OR
• AP lumbar spine BMD (determined by DEXA) of more than 2 or more SD below the mean lumbar BMD for a healthy child of similar stature (height age). OR
• A low trauma fracture (suspicious fracture - defined as a fracture the occurs with a fall from standing height or below, and not during a high velocity activity) and AP spine BMD 1.5 or more SD below the mean for height age, OR
• Recent loss of BMD of greater then 3% over a 6 month or greater interval at any one of the following sites, lumbar spine, total hip or whole body (excluding head). OR
• Recent increase in BMD of less then 3% over a 12 month period at all of the three sites listed above.