AI Article Synopsis
- The study focuses on the bone health of HCV-infected children and adolescents, highlighting that while adults show more bone disorders, less attention has been given to younger populations.
- Data collected included biochemical markers and bone densitometry results, revealing that a significant number of the cohort exhibited altered bone metabolism and some cases of osteoporosis or osteopenia.
- The findings suggest a higher prevalence of bone density issues in younger children compared to adolescents and indicate that ultrasound densitometry can be a valuable early diagnostic tool for asymptomatic HCV-infected youth, necessitating further research on treatment approaches.
Article Abstract
Background And Aims: Although several studies have demonstrated a higher incidence of bone disorders in HCV-infected adults, the bone turnover alterations occurring in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C has not been thoroughly focused yet. We performed a study on a cohort of 30 HCV infected caucasian children and adolescents to assess the prevalence of osteodystrophy and evaluate a possible prophylactic and therapeutic approach.
Methods: Data regarding biochemical markers of bone metabolism were collected. Moreover, results of ultra-sonographic bone densitometry yearly performed were evaluated in comparison with data obtained from more than 500 healthy children and adolescents.
Results: Osteocalcin and telopeptide of the collagen molecule type-1, CTX, appeared higher than normal in 8/30 and in 7/30 cases respectively; the 25OH vitamin D values were normal in 25/28 cases. By densitometry osteoporosis was detected in 2 patients and osteopenia in other 5. After stratification of cases by age groups, the incidence of osteopenia/osteoporosis appeared higher among children than among adolescents. Osteocalcin levels tended to be higher in cases where hepatic fibrosis were not detected.
Conclusions: The higher number of cases of osteopenia/osteoporosis in children than in adolescents is worthy of note, although not statistically significant. Ultrasound densitometry confirmed its important early diagnostic role in asymptomatic HCV infected children; moreover, also the increase in serum levels of osteocalcin may be considered as early marker of osteodystrophy of complementary value. Larger studies will be needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of antiviral and supportive care in these patients.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4172190 | PMC |
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