Question
Recently, a disease known as pediatric osteopetrosis has emerged in my hometown, causing concern among parents. What should be done for treatment?
Answer
For the treatment of pediatric osteopetrosis, blood transfusions are a common method, which can effectively improve anemia, control bleeding symptoms, and prevent infections. Additionally, adrenal cortical hormones have a significant effect on treating anemia associated with the disease. If the patient experiences splenomegaly and hyperfunction of the spleen, a splenectomy can help reduce the hematopoietic function of extramedullary bone. In patients with mild conditions, fractures may not appear until adulthood, while in severely affected infants and young children, the prognosis is poor, often resulting in death due to complications such as infections.