[Current views on the etiopathogenesis of idiopathic osteoporosis and osteopenia in the developmental period].

The paper presents current literature review on the clinical features and possible etiopathogenetic factors in idiopathic osteoporosis and osteopenia in children and adolescents. Genetic and environmental factors determining bone mass growth are included. The effect of cytokines and hormones in the regulation of bone remodelling has been discussed in detail. Most recent studies have demonstrated that cytokines are involved in bone formation and resorption by their direct influence on the activity of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. In this way they affect the state of dynamic balance between the process of bone formation and resorption, and thus the mineralization of the skeleton.