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Osteogenesis Imperfecta Research Paper

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Many people perform different physical activities, from exercising at the gym to climbing mountains. Others may perform physical activities as their way of making an income. Fortunately enough, they don’t have to worry about what activities will be too stressful on their bones, or never being able to perform sport activities because their muscles are too weak. However, some individuals have to consider these factors every day, due to a genetic disorder called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI).
The term “Osteogenesis Imperfecta” means imperfect bone formation. OI is a genetic bone disorder that results in weak, fragile bones that break easily. OI can also cause muscle weakness, brittle teeth, and hearing loss. There are eight recognizable forms of …show more content…

Biochemical and molecular studies have shown that the vast majority (about 90 percent) of osteogenesis imperfecta (types I, II, III, and IV) are caused by a single dominant mutation in either COL1A1 or COL1A2. These genes carry instructions for making proteins that make larger molecules called type 1 collagen (main protein in bone and skin), which is the most abundant form of all collagen in the human body. The other forms of OI are caused by a recessive mutation in the CRTAP, and P3H1 genes, which often are more rare forms of OI. OI Type VII is caused by the CRTAP gene and OI type VIII is caused by P3H1. These genes produce proteins that work together in forming collagen in its mature form. If either gene has a mutation, it causes weakening of connective tissues, bone abnormalities, and bone growth issues. The gene that causes OI types V and VI are unknown; however people with these two forms do not have mutations in the type 1 collagen genes.
OI can be inherited by a dominant genetic defect (80-90 percent of OI cases), and by a recessive mutation (10-15 percent of OI cases). For a child to receive OI from a dominant genetic defect, then he needs only one copy of the mutation carrying gene from one of his parents. Also, if neither parent has OI the child may inherent it by a spontaneous mutation. For a child to receive OI from a recessive mutation, then he would have had to receive …show more content…

However, there are treatments that can help, those that has OI, prevent and control symptoms. Bisphosphonates, one treatment for OI, are used to treat osteoporosis (causes bones to become weak and brittle), which slow the loss of existing bone. Another treatment for OI is physical therapy. Children with OI may experience delayed motor skills due to weak muscles. Physical therapy can help children in improving muscle strength, and bone strength. There are some surgical procedures that can help in treating OI, hearing loss, and other bone deformities such as, scoliosis, and basilar invagination. One surgical procedure for OI patients is “rodding”, where a surgeon will place a metal rod in the long bones of the legs, which strengths them and prevents fractures. Although some rods will grow with the bone, sometimes the rod may grow through the bone. There are a couple other related treatments that do not pertain strictly to OI, but those that have OI may find help with these treatments. The related treatments include: hearing aids, and crowns and other dental devices for brittle

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