Alder Hey hope for arthritis risk kids.

Byline: By HELEN HUNT

EXPERTS at Alder Hey hospital have launched a major study to help arthritic youngsters avoid developing damaged bones.

Children with the condition take steroids to combat the pain and damaging effects, but it leaves about 50% of them with brittle bones, known as osteopenia.

Doctors at the world-famous children's hospital are now running a pounds 500,000 clinical trial funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign.

They hope to draw up guidelines for treating osteopenia and reduce the damage it causes.

Consultant Michael Beresford said: "Children with rheumatic diseases often suffer thinning of their bones.

"This is due to factors including the underlying inflammatory process itself, nutrition and reduced physical activity, but steroids play a significant role.

"Steroids are extremely important in getting their disease under control, but they then have a greater risk of osteoporosis and are at increased risk of fractures."

The trial will compare two vitamin D supplements, to see which is best at building up bones.

Both drugs have helped adults with osteoporosis, but doctors need to prove they work for children before they can prescribe them.

A third group of youngsters will receive a dummy drug as part of the test.

Youngsters from Merseyside and Cheshire are being recruited to take part in Alder Hey's trial.

The three-year study will help those with arthritis and other related illnesses.

There are thousands of children worldwide receiving steroids for chronic rheumatic diseases.

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