Osteogenesis imperfect: clinical and epidemiological findings in a series of pediatric patients

Background: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is the most common hereditary bone disorder with an incidence of one in 10,000-25,000 births. It is caused mainly by mutations in the genes that code for Type I collagen chains. In most cases, it shows an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. OI is characterized by an increase in bone fragility that leads to frequent fractures, which cause pain, deformity and disability associated with other alterations. The objective of this study was to present the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a series of pediatric patients diagnosed with OI evaluated at the University of Los Andes. Methods: A series of 37 pediatric cases with diagnosis of OI according to the clinical and radiological classification of sillence is analyzed, which were evaluated in the medical genetics unit of the University of Los Andes consultation between January 2006 and December 2018. Results: Type I was the most frequent OI type, with 31 patients (83.78%). Additionally, the femur was the most affected bone. Blue scleras were the most frequent additional finding in 32 patients (86.49%). Conclusions: OI represents the main reason for consultation of alterations in the skeletal system in the medical genetics unit of the University of Los Andes. Given the broad clinical presentation, the evaluation must be individual and interdisciplinary. Further study will provide timely family genetic counseling.