Formation of bone tissue in fetus, newborns and the problem of osteopenia (pathogenesis, diagnostics, treatment, prevention)

The process of bone formation is called osteogenesis or ossification. After osteoblast lineages are formed by progenitor cells, they undergo three stages of cellular differentiation: proliferation, matrix maturation, and mineralization. Bone mineral content in neonates varies with birth weight relative to gestational age, maternal chronic diseases, and mineral and vitamin status. Reduced bone formation in low-for-gestational-age infants may be due to reduced transplacental mineral transfer. The neonatal period and early childhood are important periods for bone accumulation, and peak bone mass may correlate with subsequent osteogenesis. Biochemical and radiographic indices of skeletal health in children are presented. Recommendations for treatment and prevention are discussed.