It is a disease characterized by too little bone formation or excessive bone loss and an increase in the risk of fractures. Osteoporosisis called a silent disease because it progresses without any symptoms until a fracture occurs. It usually affects people later in life, and is most common in women after menopause.
Osteoporosis is rare among children and adolescents.
When it occurs, it is usually caused by an underlying medical disorder or by medications used to treat such disorders. This is called secondary osteoporosis . It may also be the result of a genetic disorder such as osteogenesis imperfecta . Sometimes there is no identifiable cause of juvenile osteoporosis. No matter what causes it, juvenile osteoporosis can be a significant problem, as it occurs during the prime bone-building years.