Ways To Treat Osteopetrosis

Observational Approach

The severity of osteopetrosis is determined by how it was passed down through the genes. Of the several forms of this condition, only the malignant infantile type will always require treatment. Children can suffer from severe symptoms like water in the brain, retinal damage, hearing loss, and bone marrow malfunction, which require medical intervention and management.

Adult-onset forms of osteopetrosis are often mild and require no treatment at all and some patients may show no outward symptoms. In this case, they may choose an observational approach to treatment. Some adults may have such symptoms as mild anemia, rhinitis, and an enlarged liver and spleen. These conditions do not necessarily need immediate or aggressive treatment, so doctors often employ the observational approach. They can be observed by medical professionals over a period to see if they progress or not. If the disease progresses, it can be symptomatically treated at that time.