Because strong bones are the foundation for a lifetime of growth, movement and possibility, the bone health clinic at OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois brings specialized pediatric expertise together to help children build and maintain healthy bones. Our team works together to understand your child’s needs and develop a personalized approach to care for them.
A child’s bone health can be affected by genetic conditions, skeletal differences or other illnesses. Some medications and treatments can also affect bone strength and development.
The bone health clinic evaluates and treats children with a range of bone and skeletal concerns, from common bone health problems to complex and rare conditions, including:
Your child’s care brings together a team of specialists who understand pediatric bone health. Depending on your child’s needs, that team may include endocrinology, nephrology and orthopedics, along with other pediatric experts. Working together, they can look at your child’s bone health from different perspectives and create a care plan that’s right for them.
Treatment for pediatric bone disorders depends on your child’s condition, symptoms and overall health. We take an individualized approach, using the results of your child’s evaluation and testing to understand what may be affecting their bones and determine the best path forward.
Depending on your child’s needs, care may include ongoing monitoring, nutritional support, medications or other bone-strengthening therapies. When another health condition is contributing to bone concerns, your child’s care team can also work with specialists to address the underlying cause.
Your child’s first visit will begin with a thorough evaluation of their bone health and overall medical history. You’ll have an opportunity to talk with a member of the bone health team about your child’s symptoms, growth, medical conditions and any concerns you’ve noticed.
Depending on your child’s needs, their evaluation may include a physical examination, blood or urine testing, imaging or other specialized testing. Your child’s care team will explain which evaluations are recommended and why.
After the evaluation, the team will review the results with you and discuss what they mean for your child. Together, you’ll develop a personalized plan for treatment, monitoring and follow-up care.
When your child has a bone health concern, you want a team that understands the whole child.
At OSF Children’s Hospital, our pediatric specialists work together to understand the factors that may be affecting your child’s growing bones and create a plan around their individual needs. Our multidisciplinary approach brings expertise together across specialties, helping families navigate complex bone conditions while supporting healthy growth, movement and quality of life.
From evaluation and diagnosis through treatment and ongoing care, we’re here to help your child build a strong foundation for the years ahead.
If you have a concern about your child’s bone health, talk with their pediatrician about whether the bone health clinic may be right for them. Need a primary care provider? Browse our directory.
