Defining a Growing and Maturing Skeleton and its Relevance in Diseases that Affect Skeletal Growth, Such as X-Linked Hypophosphataemia (XLH)

The human skeleton is composed of bone, a living tissue that undergoes constant development throughout life. It is well established that changes in bone metabolism during the developmental stages of growth, modelling and remodelling determine long-lasting physiological parameters, such as final height achieved, peak bone mass, bone quality and bone health. A complex interplay of environmental, genetic, nutritional, physiological and behavioural factors plays a role in these processes. These modifiable and non-modifiable factors influence skeletal development and bone quality, as well as the occurrence of clinical conditions during adulthood, such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.