Causes & Risk Factors Of Osteopetrosis

The bones of the average person regenerate at the same rate as the old bone disintegrates. However, there is a condition called osteopetrosis that can cause abnormally dense bones. This occurs when the new bone mass grows faster than the rate the old bone mass disappears. Even though osteopetrosis causes the bones to be denser, the bones will easily break from normal, everyday actions and the disease can cause many other problems in the body. There are three types of osteopetrosis: a severe form that presents itself at or near birth, a less severe form found in children, and the mildest form, which shows up in adolescents or adults.