Last Reviewed May 29, 2009
Symptoms & Characteristics
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders that mainly affect the bones. The term "osteogenesis imperfecta" means imperfect bone formation. People with this condition have bones that break easily, often from mild trauma or with no apparent cause. Multiple fractures are common, and in severe cases, can occur even before birth. Milder cases may involve only a few fractures over a person's lifetime.
There are at least eight recognized forms of osteogenesis imperfecta, designated type I through type VIII. The types can be distinguished by their signs and symptoms, although their characteristic features overlap.
Type I is the mildest form of osteogenesis imperfecta and type II is the most severe; other types of this condition have signs and symptoms that fall somewhere between these two extremes. Increasingly, genetic factors are used to define the different forms of osteogenesis imperfecta.
The milder forms of osteogenesis imperfecta, including type I, are characterized by bone fractures during childhood and adolescence that often result from minor trauma. Fractures occur less frequently in adulthood. People with mild forms of the condition typically have a blue or grey tint to the part of the eye that is usually white (the sclera), and may develop hearing loss in adulthood. Affected individuals are usually of normal or near normal height.
Other types of osteogenesis imperfecta are more severe, causing frequent bone fractures that may begin before birth and result from little or no trauma. Additional features of these conditions can include blue sclerae, short stature, hearing loss, respiratory problems, and a disorder of tooth development called dentinogenesis imperfecta. The most severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta, particularly type II, can include an abnormally small, fragile rib cage and underdeveloped lungs. Infants with these abnormalities have life-threatening problems with breathing and often die shortly after birth.
Treatment
The management and treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta depends on the specific symptoms. Early diagnosis, routine surveillance and treatment may help to manage some of the symptoms and sometimes prevent related problems.
How Common Is It?
About 6 to 7 per 100,000 people worldwide are affected with osteogenesis imperfecta. Types I and IV are the most common forms of OI, affecting 4 to 5 per 100,000 people.
Genetics & Inheritance
Mutations in the COL1A1, COL1A2, CRTAP, and LEPRE1 genes cause osteogenesis imperfecta.
- Mutations in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes are responsible for more than 90% of all cases of osteogenesis imperfecta. These genes provide instructions for making proteins that are used to assemble type I collagen. This type of collagen is the most abundant protein in bone, skin, and other connective tissues that provide structure and strength to the body. A defect in the structure of type I collagen weakens connective tissues, particularly bone, resulting in the characteristic features of osteogenesis imperfecta.
- Most of the mutations that cause osteogenesis imperfecta type I occur in the COL1A1 gene. These genetic changes reduce the amount of type I collagen produced in the body, which causes bones to be brittle and to fracture easily.
- The mutations responsible for most cases of osteogenesis imperfecta types II, III, and IV occur in either the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene.
- Mutations in the CRTAP and LEPRE1 genes are responsible for rare, often severe cases of osteogenesis imperfecta. Cases caused by CRTAP mutations are usually classified as type VII; when LEPRE1 mutations underlie the condition, it is classified as type VIII. The proteins produced from these genes work together to process collagen into its mature form. Mutations in either gene disrupt the normal folding, assembly, and secretion of collagen molecules. These defects weaken connective tissues, leading to severe bone abnormalities and problems with growth.
- In cases of osteogenesis imperfecta without identified mutations in the COL1A1, COL1A2, CRTAP, or LEPRE1 gene, the cause of the disorder is unknown. These cases include osteogenesis imperfecta types V and VI. Researchers are working to identify additional genes that may be responsible for these conditions.
Most cases of osteogenesis imperfecta have autosomal dominant inheritance, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the condition. An affected person has a 50% chance with each pregnancy to have an affected child.
- Many people with type I or type IV osteogenesis imperfecta inherit a mutation from a parent who has the disorder.
- Most infants with more severe forms of osteogenesis imperfecta (such as type II and type III) have no history of the condition in their family. In these infants, the condition is caused by new (sporadic) mutations in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene.
Less commonly, osteogenesis imperfecta has autosomal recesssive inheritance. Autosomal recessive inheritance means two copies of the gene in each cell are altered. The parents of a child with an autosomal recessive disorder typically are not affected, but each carry one copy of the altered gene. Two carriers have a 25% chance with each pregnancy to have an affected child.
- Autosomal recessive cases usually result from mutations in the CRTAP or LEPRE1 gene rather than in the COL1A1 or COL1A2 gene.
There are other genetic conditions that have symptoms which overlap with OI. A genetic consultation with a trained genetic professional is important for a complete evaluation, accurate diagnosis, as well as discussion of the benefits and limitations of testing and recurrence risk.
Genetic Testing
Clinical genetic testing for some types of osteogenesis imperfecta may be available through an in person
genetic consultation for people who are considered at risk. Use our
find a genetic professional directory to locate a trained
genetic professional in your area.
Support & More Information
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Alternative Names
- Brittle bone disease
- Fragilitas ossium
- OI
- Vrolik disease