Osteogenesis Imperfecta can cause some serious complications like weak muscles, weak teeth, bowed spine and hearing loss.
Categorically OI is divided into Four (4) recognized types. These types can be differentiate by their sign & symptoms.
Following are the Major Symptoms .....
Type I - Blue Sclera ; Loss of Hearing ; More Bone Fractures in infancy then after puberty.
Type II - Small Nose ; Lower Jaw ; No Hearing Problems ; Fractured Bones before Birth.
Type III - No Hearing Problems ; Shortening of Limbs and Progressive Deformities; Facial Abnormality.
Type IV - No Hearing Problems ; Bone fractures in infancy.
It is very difficult to determine the type of OI in new born child.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a rare blood disorder. It can be detected during pregnancy through ultrasound. If one of the parents have OI the Genetic testing may be able to identify the mutation.
In most cases, first indication of OI occurs while someone gets bone fracture without any obvious reasons.
Research is going on to find the cure of Osteogenesis Imperfecta but still in vain, the main focus of treatment is to reduce the number of bone fracture. Parents should learn how to take care of child to minimise the impact of OI.
We should encourage the people suffering from OI and treat them like a normal human being, Young persons with Osteogenesis Imperfecta today have role models for independence and self-reliance.
