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Osteogenesis imperfecta now have additional genes that cause brittle bones and is slowly spreading
across generations and countries.
It is also known as brittle bone disease, Lobstein syndrome, fragilitas ossium, Vrolik disease.
Osteogenesis imperfecta is characterized by bones that break easily often from little or no
apparent cause.
Precise typing of osteogenesis imperfecta is often difficult and depends in large degree on the
experience of the clinician.
Severity ranges from mild forms to lethal forms in the perinatal period.
Classification
Forlino and Marini in 2015 offered an alternate way of understanding the genetics of osteogenesis
imperfecta by sorting into five functional categories as follows:
Group A. These are the primary defects in collagen structure and function.
Group E. The group includes osteoblast development defects with collagen insufficiency.
Pathophysiology
The classification system is not integrated into widespread use but offers significant streamlining of
categories into intellectually satisfying divisions.
COL1A1/COL1A2. Type 1 collagen, which constitutes approximately 30% of the human body
weight is defective in osteogenesis imperfecta.
SERPINFI (Type VI). This is caused by homozygous mutation in SERPINF1 gene, and
inheritance is autosomal recessive.
SERPINH1 (Type X). Genetic testing found a previously described homozygous mutation in
the SERPINH1 gene.
FKBP10 (Type XI). This is caused by a homozygous mutation in the FKBP10 gene and is
inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
SP7 (Type XII). There are homozygous deletions in the SP7 gene and is inherited in
autosomal recessive fashion.
BMP1 (Type XIII). This is caused by homozygous mutation in the BMP1 gene and is
inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
WNT1 (Type XV). This form is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations
in the WNT1 gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
CREB3L1 (Type XVI). CREB3L1 encodes the endoplasmic reticulum stress transducer protein
OASIS which regulates the expression of type 1 procollagen.
SPARC (Type XVII). SPARC or secreted protein, acidic, cysteine-rich is a glycoprotein that
binds to multiple matrix protein, including collagen I.
Osteogenesis imperfecta now affect people from different countries around the world.
In the United States, the prevalence of osteogenesis imperfecta is estimated to be 2 for
every 15, 000 live births. However, the mild form is underdiagnosed.
Prevalence appears to be the same worldwide, although there may be an increased risk of
recessive forms of osteogenesis imperfecta in populations with high degrees of
consanguinity.
The age when symptoms begin widely varies, as there are patients who do not have fractures
until adulthood, while others may present with fractures during infancy.
Causes
Germ cell mosaicism. Germ cell mosaicism may be the explanation for cases occurring in
families with healthy parents that have more than one child with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Somatic mosaicism. Somatic mosaicism has been noted in brainstem who have had multiple
children with the same dominant form.
Clinical Manifestations
Bluish to whitish sclera. The hues of the sclera may vary, but the change in color can also
occur in other diseases such as progeria and Menkes syndrome.
Fractures. Over a lifetime numbers of fractures may reach a hundred or even more.
High pain tolerance. People with osteogenesis imperfecta may have a high tolerance
for pain, as old fractures may be discovered in infants only after a radiograph ordered for
an entirely different reason.
Height. Height is extremely variable with some patients having near-normal height and others
having significantly short stature.
Complications
Basilar impression. Basilar impression can cause brainstem compression and is a major
neurologic complication in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Results of diagnostic tests on people with osteogenesis imperfecta are useful in ruling out other
metabolic bone diseases.
Prenatal DNA mutation analysis. Prenatal DNA mutation analysis can be performed in
pregnancies with the risk of osteogenesis imperfecta to analyze uncultured chorionic villus
cells.
Bone mineral density. Bone mineral density, as measured with dual-energy radiographic
absorptiometry, is generally low in children and adults with osteogenesis imperfecta.
X-ray. Images may reveal thinning of the long bones with thin cortices or it may reveal
beaded ribs, broad bones and numerous fractures with deformities of the long bones.
Nutrition. Nutritional evaluation and condition are paramount to ensure appropriate intake
of calcium and vitamin D.
In utero bone marrow transplant. In utero bone marrow transplantation of adult bone
marrow has been shown to decrease perinatal lethality.
RANKL inhibition. A preclinical study demonstrated that RANKL inhibition improves density
and some geometric and biomechanical properties of oim/oim mouse bone but does not
decrease fracture incidence when compared with placebo.
Pharmacologic Therapy
Risedronate. Oral bisphosphonates such as risedronate may have some effect in reducing
fractures in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Surgical Management
Orthopedic surgery is one of the pillars of treatment for patients with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Intramedullary rod replacement. In patients with bowed long bones, intramedullary rod
replacement may improve weight bearing and, thus, enable the child to walk at an earlier
stage than he or she might otherwise.
Surgery for basilar impression. This procedure is reserved for cases with neurologic
deficiencies, especially those caused by compression of brain stem.
Correction of scoliosis. Correction of scoliosis may be difficult because of bone fragility, but
spinal fusion injury may be beneficial in patients with severe disease.
Nursing Management
Nursing Assessment
The nurse should assess the following in a patient with osteogenesis imperfecta:
History. Assess the patient’s medical history as osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder.
Laboratory values. Laboratory results may reveal the occurrence of osteogenesis imperfecta.
Nursing Diagnosis
The major goals for the patient with osteogenesis imperfecta include:
Be free of injury.
Genetic counseling. Offer genetic counseling to the parents of a child with osteogenesis
imperfecta so that germline mosaicism may be discussed, as this is the mechanism
responsible for some patients with the apparent new dominant mutation.
Diet. Encourage adequate calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus intake, and ensure appropriate
caloric management.
Activity. Educate parents regarding positioning of the child in the crib and how to handle the
child while avoiding fractures.
Evaluation
Free of injury.
Physical therapy. Therapy should be directed toward improving joint mobility and
developing muscle strength.
Oral health. Patients with osteogenesis imperfecta require scrupulous oral hygiene and
frequent follow up with a pediatric dentist who is familiar with the disorder.
Documentation Guidelines
The focus of documentation should include:
Plan of care.
Teaching plan.