Different Levels of Osteogenesis Imperfecta

       The last time I blog I referred to different types or levels that Ostegenesis Imperfecta has on individuals. Today I am going to provide information on the different levels and how the affect the individual. There is a total of eight different types of OI levels. Of the eight types two are recessively inherited types (meaning that you inherited the gene from your parents and it is possible that your child will have that recessive gene). The link to the website where I will be getting my information from is: http://www.oif.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AOI_Types
      
       The first level of OI that I would like to discuss is type I. Type I is the mildest and most common form of OI. Individuals at this level typically do not experience any bone breakage until they start to walk. Some of the fractures that they may experience are located within their long bones. The individuals in this stage tend to have shoulder and elbow dislocations. Individuals that are classified in this type stature is typically shorter than that of their peers. They also have less fractures after bone growth has stopped.

        The second level of OI that I would like to discuss is Type II. Type II is the most severe form of Osteogenesis Imperfecta. At birth, infants with OI Type II have very short limbs, small chests, and soft skulls. The infants lungs are underdeveloped and their birth weight is typically low. Respiratory and swallowing problems are common. Infants with OI Type II usually die within weeks of delivery. A few may survive longer. Cause of death is usually respiratory and cardiac complications.

     The third level of OI that I would like to discuss is Type III. Type III is the most severe type for the children that survive after the neonatal period. Infants suffer from bone fractions and broken bones. As an adult the height is usually shorter than three feet six inches. The head is larger than the body. Type III has similar issues with infants as far as respiratory problems.

    The fourth level of OI that I would like to discuss is Type IV. People with OI Type IV are moderately affected. Type IV can range in severity from relatively few fractures, as in OI Type I, to a more severe form resembling OI Type III. The diagnosis can be made at birth but often occurs later. The child might not fracture until he or she is walking. People with OI Type IV have moderate-to-severe growth retardation, which is one factor that distinguishes them clinically from people with Type I. Bowing of the long bones is common, but to a lesser extent than in Type III. The child’s height may be less-than-average for his or her age. It is common for the humerus and femur to be short. It is important for individuals that are associated with this type to address difficulties with social integration, participation in leisure activities, and maintaining stamina.

       The fifth level of OI  that I would like to discuss is Type V. OI Type V is moderate in severity. It is similar to OI Type IV in terms of frequency of fractures and the degree of skeletal deformity.
The most conspicuous feature of this type is large, hypertrophic calluses in the largest bones at fracture or surgical procedure sites.

      The sixth level of OI that I would like to discuss is Type VI. OI Type VI is extremely rare. It is moderate in severity and similar in appearance and symptoms to OI Type IV. This type is distinguished by a characteristic mineralization defect seen in biopsied bone.

        The seventh level that I would like to discuss is Type VII. Some cases of OI Type VII resemble OI Type IV in many aspects of appearance and symptoms. Other cases resemble OI Type II, except that infants have white sclerae, small heads and round faces. It is common for leg bones, humerus and femur to be short.

     The final level that I would like to discuss is Type VIII. Cases of OI Type VIII are similar to OI Types II or III in appearance and symptoms except for white sclerae. OI Type VIII is characterized by severe growth deficiency and extreme under-mineralization of the skeleton.

     I hope that this post helped you understand the different levels or types of OI. Reading this information was very informative and it helped me gain some insight on the experiences that individuals with OI have.