Endocrine Abstracts

Long bone fractures are common in childhood. However, recurrent fractures and certain types of fractures may indicate an underlying problem such as bone fragility. It is important to be able to identify those children who require closer evaluation and to consider how best to investigate such children. This should be done with an understanding of the likelihood and range of disease that may present with fractures, as well as the role of various modes of assessment. For those with underlying bone disease, treatment choices will vary depending on the diagnosis and likely prognosis. A current understanding of the threshold for the use of drugs such as bisphosphonates and how to manage associated risk is essential for the physician seeking to treat children with bone fragility.