Zoledronic Acid vs Placebo in Pediatric Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis: A Randomized, Double-blind, Phase 3 Trial

Context: Glucocorticoids (GCs) prescribed for chronic pediatric illnesses are associated with osteoporotic fractures. Objective: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZA) compared with placebo to treat pediatric GC-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Methods: Children aged 5 to 17 years with GIO were enrolled in this multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 00799266). Eligible children were randomly assigned 1:1 to 6 monthly IV ZA 0.05 mg/kg or IV placebo. The primary end point was the change in lumbar spine bone mineral density z score (LSBMDZ) from baseline to month 12. Incident fractures and safety were assessed. Results: Thirty-four children were enrolled (mean age 12.6 +/- 3.4 years [18 on ZA, 16 on placebo]), all with low-trauma vertebral fractures (VFs). LSBMDZ increased from -2.13 +/- 0.79 to -1.49 +/- 1.05 on ZA, compared with -2.38 +/- 0.90 to -2.27 +/- 1.03 on placebo (least squares means difference 0.41 [95% CI, 0.02-0.81; P =.04]); when corrected for height z score, the least squares means difference in LBMDZ was 0.75 [95% CI, 0.271.22; P =.004]. Two children on placebo had new low-trauma VF vs none on ZA. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 15 of 18 children (83%) on ZA, and in 12 of 16 (75%) on placebo, most frequently within 10 days after the first infusion. There were no deaths or treatment discontinuations due to treatment-emergent AEs. Conclusion: LSBMDZ increased significantly on ZA compared with placebo over 1 year in children with GIO. Most AEs occurred after the first infusion.