Abstract
Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterised by decreased bone density and increased bone fragility.
We studied the effect of bisphosphonates on clinical features and bone mass, enrolling to the study 22 children with OI treated with these drugs. Sixteen of them received continuous oral alendronate and six received cyclical IV pamidronate. Evaluation included mobility score, fracture rate, chemistry of skeletal remodelling, iliac crest biopsy and DEXA assessment of bone mass.
After 18 months of bisphosphonate therapy, 10 patients were fully assessed. There was a definite clinical improvement, with significantly improved mobility (p =0.04), a reduction in the annualised fracture rate from 1.27 to 0.44, and significant improvement in bone mass density (p =0.01).
Secretary: Dr H.J.S. Colyn, Editor: Professor M.B.E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to SAOA, Box 47363, Parklands, Johannesburg, 2121, South Africa.
