Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from building strong bones.
Symptoms
There are different types of OI, and the problems it causes vary. The most common types are;
Type I: The most common type of brittle bone disease. Bones break more easily but are usually shaped normally. Fractures usually happen less often after puberty.
Type III: Bones can break easily, and they are usually shorter than other children their age. They may have abnormally shaped bones (such as a curved spine, a ribcage that points outward, a triangular face, or legs that bow out), breathing problems (which can be life-threatening), hearing loss as adults, brittle teeth, and other problems.
Type IV: Children usually have frequent bone breaks (which may happen less often after puberty) and abnormally shaped bones (similar to type III). They’re shorter than other children their age and may have hearing loss as an adult.
Education Strategies
Children and young people with OI should avoid activities that could lead to falls, sports with impacts (e.g. football, rugby) or which put too much stress on bones (such as trampolining). Instead do low-impact exercise (such as swimming) to help build muscle strength and increase bone strength.
Children and young people may be wheelchair users and may need specialist seating. Children and young people may have physiotherapy programmes to build muscle strength, and improve fitness to help breathing.
There may be hearing loss so Hearing Impairment Advisory Teachers may be involved.
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