Synopsis

Bone health is an important consideration in many chronic health conditions in childhood. Issues of immobility, nutrition, pubertal delay and medication usage may adversely impact bone mass accrual, leading to potentially short and/or long term skeletal fragility, with high attendant morbidity. We will discuss the role of bone density assessment in young people, focusing on dual-energy Xray absorptiometry scan use and interpretation, and the role of newer modalities such as peripheral quantitative computerised tomography. We will also present the current status of a number of studies within the campus exploring the effects of conditions such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, anti-epileptic drug use and cystic fibrosis on bone health, as well as some data from interventional studies using bisphosphonate therapy.

Speaker

Dr Peter Simm is a Paediatric Endocrinologist at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne with a strong interest in Bone and Mineral Medicine. After completing his doctoral thesis in growth plate chondrogenesis, he undertook post Fellowship training in clinical bone and mineral medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He is currently involved in a number of clinical bone health projects in both primary and secondary bone disorders. He also reports the bone density scans for RCH. Peter is also the current secretary of the Australian Paediatric Endocrinology Bone and Mineral working group, with development underway of nationwide guidelines for the use of bisphosphonates in children.