Mild hypophosphatasia mimicking severe osteogenesis imperfecta in utero: Bent but not broken

We describe a fifth instance of hypophosphatasia presenting with prenatal f indings suggestive of a very severe bone dysplasia but with a subsequently benign course. Spontaneous improvement of long-bone angulation began prenat ally. The postnatal course has been encouraging. This sixth clinical form o f hypophosphatasia, which we suggest should be called the benign prenatal f orm of hypophosphatasia, should be added to the differential diagnostic pos sibilities considered when angulation or bowing of long bones is discovered prenatally, (C) 1999. Wiley-Liss, Inc.