Consensus guidelines on the use of bisphosphonate therapy in children and adolescents

J Paediatr Child Health. 2018 Mar;54(3):223-233. doi: 10.1111/jpc.13768.

Abstract

Bisphosphonate therapy is the mainstay of pharmacological intervention in young people with skeletal fragility. The evidence of its use in a variety of conditions remains limited despite over three decades of clinical experience. On behalf of the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group, this evidence-based consensus guideline presents recommendations and discusses the graded evidence (using the GRADE system) for these recommendations. Primary bone fragility disorders such as osteogenesis imperfecta are considered separately from osteoporosis secondary to other clinical conditions (such as cerebral palsy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy). The use of bisphosphonates in non-fragility conditions, such as fibrous dysplasia, avascular necrosis, bone cysts and hypercalcaemia, is also discussed. While these guidelines provide an evidence-based approach where possible, further research is required in all clinical applications in order to strengthen the recommendations made.

Keywords: bone health; fracture; skeletal fragility.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / adverse effects
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cerebral Palsy / complications
  • Child
  • Diphosphonates / adverse effects
  • Diphosphonates / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / complications
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / etiology

Substances

  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Diphosphonates