Given orally in high doses, it can reverse some of the problems of severe osteopetrosis and significantly improve the adult form. High dose calcitriol is not FDA-approved for treatment of osteopetrosis presently. Given orally, Prednisone has improved blood counts in patients with anemia and low platelet counts as it may slow blood cell destruction. Prednisone treatment provides a short-term boost to the blood system, allowing other therapies to continue. If taken for long periods, however, prednisone may actually reduce the growth rate of children and predispose patients to infection.
Good nutrition is vital to ensure normal growth and development of children with osteopetrosis.
Physical and Occupational Therapy. Physical and occupational therapy are extremely useful in helping children with osteopetrosis reach their full developmental potential. The heavy skeleton results in gross motor delays and blindness can delay speech. The average severely affected child walks at about two years and begins to speak between 20 to 24 months old. Prognosis Patients with the adult form of osteopetrosis have a normal life span.