Vertebral Fractures in Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

• Published in: Clinical pediatrics Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 353 - 356
• Main Authors: Bothwell, J. E., Gordon, K. E., Dooley, J. M., Mac Sween, J., Cummings, E. A., Salisbury, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 708 Glen Cove Avenue, Glen Head, NY 11545 SAGE Publications 01-05-2003; Westminster; Sage Publications, Inc; Westminster Publications, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adrenal Cortex Hormones - adverse effects; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Care and treatment; Child; Child, Preschool; Diseases of striated muscles. Neuromuscular diseases; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Fractures, Bone - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Bone - epidemiology; Fractures, Bone - etiology; Humans; Incidence; Male; Medical sciences; Muscular dystrophy; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne - complications; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne - drug therapy; Neurology; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis - chemically induced; Osteoporosis - complications; Pediatrics; Probability; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Injuries - epidemiology; Spinal Injuries - etiology; Human; Neuromuscular diseases; Nervous system diseases; Duchenne muscular dystrophy; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Complication; Fracture; Bone; Child; Genetic disease
• ISSN: 0009-9228; 1938-2707
• DOI: 10.1177/000992280304200408

Osteoporosis causes significant morbidity for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Corticosteroid therapy given to prolong mobility may increase the rate of osteoporosis and risk of fracture. This study of 33 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy determined retrospectively the incidence of vertebral fractures particularly after initiation of corticosteroids. A latency period of 40 months after commencement of steroids occurred before the first vertebral fracture appeared. However, by 100 months of treatment approximately 75% had sustained a vertebral fracture.