What Is Collagen?enparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/DESIGN-1168_What_Is_Collagen_esHD_1.jpgCollagen is a protein in the body that helps make bones strong.collagen, collagin, caloagin, colagen, bones, muscles, joints., proteins, strong bones, build bones, osteogeneis imperfecta, tensons, tendins, cartilage, brittle bone disease, Elhers-Danlos syndrome 05/29/201811/26/201811/26/2018Jeanne M. Franzone, MD11/19/201886567023-6759-4874-adc3-0e47acdb9a2ehttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/collagen.html/<h3>What Is Collagen?</h3>
<p>Collagen (KOL-uh-jin) is a protein in the body. Different types of collagen are in many body parts, including hair, skin, nails, <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/bones-muscles-joints.html/">bones</a>, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, blood vessels, and intestines.</p>
<h3>What Does Collagen Do?</h3>
<p>Collagen has many different roles in the body. It:</p>
<ul>
<li>helps make <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/strong-bones.html/">bones strong</a></li>
<li>lets the <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/skin-hair-nails.html/">skin</a> and tendons stretch</li>
<li>helps with healing after an injury</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Are the Different Kinds of Collagen?</h3>
<p>Our bodies have many different kinds of collagen. Most of it is type I collagen, found in bones and tendons. But we also have:</p>
<ul>
<li>type II collagen, found in
cartilage
(the bendable material in the nose, ears, and joints)</li>
<li>type III collagen, found in skin, the lining of blood vessels, and the intestines</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Problems Can Happen With Collagen?</h3>
<p>Depending on which type of collagen is affected, problems can include:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/osteogenesis-imperfecta.html/">osteogenesis imperfecta</a> (also called brittle bone disease), caused by a problem with type I collagen</li>
<li>Elhers-Danlos syndrome (which leads to stretchy skin and joints), often caused by a problem with type IV collagen</li>
</ul>
<p>The symptoms of problems with collagen can vary greatly. Some people have very mild symptoms, while others have moderate or more severe symptoms.</p>
<h3>How Do Problems With Collagen Happen?</h3>
<p>Most kids with a collagen problem have it because they inherited a <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/about-genetics.html/">gene</a> from one or both of their parents. But sometimes it happens in a child without a family history.</p>
<h3>What Else Should I Know?</h3>
<p>Collagen has many important roles in the body. A child who has a collagen problem may need medical care throughout life.</p>
<p>To help your child get the best care possible:</p>
<ul class="kh_longline_list">
<li>Find out all you can about your child's medical condition.</li>
<li>If your child is old enough, talk about the problem. Use simple words and let your child ask questions. Be positive, but honest.</li>
<li>Take your child to all medical appointments.</li>
<li>Follows the health care provider's treatment recommendations.</li>
</ul>¿Qué es el colágeno?El colágeno desempeña muchas funciones importantes en el cuerpo. Un niño que tenga un problema en el colágeno puede necesitar cuidados médicos durante toda la vida.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/es/parents/collagen-esp.html/c459276a-3ae5-473c-865c-dd6344d1fb623 Ways to Build Strong BonesWe build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/strong-bones.html/20c29bc1-aff5-4265-a1e7-160442604f56Bones, Muscles, and JointsOur bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/bones-muscles-joints.html/d55a922b-e87a-49e0-82ae-0c5a0773cee9Broken BonesWhat happens when you break a bone?https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/broken-bones.html/fe9a644f-2c79-45eb-a47c-144055624af7How Broken Bones HealBroken bones have an amazing ability to heal, especially in kids. Full healing can take time, but new bone usually forms a few weeks after an injury.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/fractures-heal.html/0ec4eb9b-2074-4d95-b35a-acf2a7e4deb4Your BonesWhere would you be without your bones? Learn more about the skeletal system in this article for kids.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/bones.html/ba77b482-c6eb-47da-90a4-3cb148f38f4dkh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-generalPediatricskh:genre-articlekh:primaryClinicalDesignation-orthopedicsNonSportsMedBody Basicshttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/general/body-basics/3113dcac-be5e-44dd-842b-232a50bfd496Your Kid's Bodyhttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/general/body/8c0f9ed2-5084-4b14-a876-e101a62c655cBones & Muscleshttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/medical/bones/309954d5-03dd-446c-9d39-3e66eeb99f97