Growth and bone mineralization in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Objective  To investigate growth, development and bone mineralization of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods  Thirty patients between 4–17 years of age (mean 11.34 ± 3.88) resistant to therapy were studied. Enrollment began in November 1999 and continued through November 2004 and children with chronic disease were excluded. Data like height, weight, medications and acute phase reactants were obtained from medical records. On study-visit, puberty was assessed by physical examination and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured. Serum Ca, P, ALP, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and urinary Ca/Cr and hydroxyproline /Cr levels were measured. Results were compared with the control group that consisted of 30 cases of similar age and gender. Results  Patients with JIA had decreased height standard deviation score (SDS) and growth retardation. BMD of the cases in the study group was lower than the control group (p<0.05). Patients who were at younger age at the onset of the disease had lower BMD. Among the drugs, only steroids had a negative effect on growth. Serum IGF-1 levels of the study group were significantly lower than the control group (p<0.0001). Conclusion  Early diagnosis and suppression of disease activity is important in prevention of osteoporosis and growth retardation in children with JIA. BMD has to be measured yearly in patients for accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis. Vitamin D and Ca-rich nutrition with promotion of physical activity and controlled use of steroids may protect the children against bone loss.