ancy and white in adulthood, although the average life expectancy is 25 years. Type IV is always dominant. With types III and IV multiple fractures from minor physical stress occurs leading to progressive and severe deformities. Kyphoscoliosis (curvature of the spine) may cause respiratory impairment and predisposition to pulmonary infections. "Popcorn-like" deposits of mineral appear on the ends of long bones (Isselbacher, 2111). The symptoms of OI (types I, III, and IV) can appear when the child begins to walk, and decreases with age. The tendency of bone fracture decreases and often disappears after puberty. Later in life, particularly during pregnancy and after menopause, more fractures occur. The bones are usually slender with short, thin cortices and trabeculae (fibers of framework), but can also be unusually thin (Smith, 1983, 136). Narrow diaphysis of the long bones increases the number of fractures and bowing deformities. Scoliosis is common. The haversian cells are poorly developed. The bones lack minerals needed to form bone matrix. Epiphyseal fractures (end of the bone) results in deformities and stunted growth (dwarfism). Osteopenia, the decrease in bone mass, is symptomatic.Other signs of OI include hyperextensibility of the joints (double-jointedness) and abnormally thin almost translucent skin. Discolored (blue-gray or yellow-brown) and malformed teeth which break easily and are cavity prone are found in most patients. Patients with OI have a triangular-shaped head and face, a bilaterally bulging skull, and prominent eyes with a wide distance between the temporal region (Loeb, 755).Hearing loss by the age of 30-40 is the result of the pressure on the auditory nerve due to the deformity of its canal in the skull. Recurrent epistaxis (nosebleeds), bruising and edema (especially at the sight of fractures), difficulty tolerating high temperatures and mild hyperpyrexia are other symptoms. Thoracic deformities may impair che...
