Efficacy and safety of alendronic acid in the treatment of osteoporosis in children Efectividad y seguridad del ácido alendrónico en el tratamiento de la osteoporosis infantil

Objectives: to describe the efficacy and safety of the off-label use of alendronate in the treatment of osteoporosis in children and adolescents. Method: a retrospective study (2008-2014) of all patients under 18 years who were dispensed alendronate for this indication. The criteria for initiating treatment were: bone mineral density with a Z-score ≤ -2.5 SD, a past history of bone fractures without a previous traumatism, and persistent pain. The variables collected were: demographic, treatment-related, clinical. and safety data. The treatment was considered to be effective when there was an increase in bone mineral density up to a Z-score > -2.5 SD. Results: a total of 12 patients, 8 of them male, with a mean age of 11 years (± 3 SD), were treated with alendronate. After a mean time of treatment of 2.15 years (± 1.2 SD), there was an increase in bone mineral density in all patients, 9 of which achieved a Z-score > -2.5 SD, so the drug was considered effective in 75% of cases. No patient had bone fractures or expressed adverse effects during treatment. Conclusions: alendronate increased bone mineral density and was well tolerated in all patients, therefore it could be considered as a therapeutic option in the treatment of osteoporosis in children.