GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE TYPE-III OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA

We performed a study of forty-three patients who had type-III osteogen esis imperfecta. Our purpose was to determine the frequency and severi ty of abdominal problems and the relationship between these problems a nd pelvic deformity. Twelve patients had had recurrent episodes of abd ominal pain. Eleven of them had a history of chronic constipation, and five had been treated for fecal impaction. Radiographs had been made for ten of these patients, and eight of them had radiographic evidence of pelvic deformity with severe acetabular protrusion. Chronic consti pation and recurrent abdominal pain are more frequent in patients who have osteogenesis imperfecta and acetabular protrusion than in those w ho do not have protrusion. These patients may benefit from early atten tion to a bowel program and referral to a gastrointestinal specialist.