Bone and collagen markers in paediatric practice.

Biochemical markers of bone and collagen turnover have been found to be a valuable adjunct to measurements of bone mineral density in post-menopausal women in whom they appear to be independent predictors of osteoporosis and fracture risk. In children, they have been less extensively studied but have begun to find a similar complementary role in a number of disorders affecting bone turnover and growth. Although they may give helpful information in their reflection of recent bone turnover and growth in various disorders, their principal value appears to be in giving an early and sensitive indication of response to treatment, before changes in either height velocity or bone mineral density can be accurately determined. This review discusses the use and limitations of these markers in children, the clinical conditions in which they have been studied and their potential value in monitoring either beneficial or adverse effects of treatment on bone turnover and growth.