Paget's disease in children
Paget’s disease is a rare, genetic condition that affects bone formation – making them large, misshapen and fragile.
What is Paget's disease in children?
Paget’s disease affects the way bone forms. In healthy bone formation, bone remodels every day as its absorbed and replaced by new bone. With Paget’s disease, more bone is absorbed than normal. The body tries to compensate, but makes too much bone that is abnormally large, deformed and very weak.
The whole skeleton is affected by Paget’s disease and can cause bone and joint pain throughout the body. Weak vertebrae can cause the spine to curve, and weight-bearing bones, such as the legs, can bow and break more easily.
Risk factors
Paget’s disease is rare, affecting only about 50 people worldwide.
What are the signs and symptoms of Paget's disease in children?
Symptoms of Paget’s disease can appear in infancy or childhood. As children begin a growth spurt during adolescence (12-17 years of age), the symptoms can become more pronounced.
These symptoms include:
- Bone deformities
- Bone fractures
- Bone and joint pain
- Bowed legs
- Curved spine
- Enlarged head and skull
- Headaches
- Hearing loss from a thicker than normal skull
What are the causes of Paget's disease in children?
A genetic mutation causes Paget’s disease. A virus also may be responsible.