Causes And Complications Of Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disorder where the quality and the density of bone tissues becomes decreased, causing them to become increasingly porous and fragile. Osteoporosis is a common disorder among seniors because the natural aging process includes an inability of the body to replace old bone with new bone efficiently. However, Diamond-Blackfan anemia patients can experience osteoporosis as an adverse side effect of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are prescribed for individuals who have Diamond-Blackfan anemia because they help stimulate the bone marrow to produce a greater number of red blood cells. However, corticosteroid medications have a major altering effect on the way an individual's body metabolizes certain nutrients, including vitamin D, calcium, and bone tissue. Calcium and vitamin D are substances the body requires to maintain the delicate balance between the production of new bone and breakdown of old bone. This complication occurs during the first six months of a patient taking corticosteroids in most cases.

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