| [ Summary ] |
Bone mass increases with age during childhood and adolescence, and peak bone mass is achieved at around age 20 years. Several factors influence attainment and sustenance of bone mass, including genetics, endocrine factors (sex hormones, growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-1), puberty onset, nutrition (proteins, calcium, vitamin D), and physical activity. Among them, genetics accounts for 60 - 80 % of the variance in adult bone mineral mass. Recent studies have reported a number of genes associated with bone mass. Maintenance of bone mass during childhood is important for preventing osteoporosis in the future. It is necessary to receive appropriate care for diseases that can cause abnormality in bone mass expansion in children, including osteogenesis imperfecta, idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis, and glucocorticoidinduced osteoporosis. |