Clinicians Need to Learn the Difference Between OI and Child Abuse!

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI or brittle bone disease) affects an estimated one in 20,000 people. Those with this condition are prone to fractures, dislocation, and bruising, all signs of potential child abuse. Unfortunately, children with OI are often taken from their families in mistaken interventions by clinicians and mandated reporters like police officers and teachers who fear they are being abused, resulting in lengthy court battles that tear families apart.

To date, most OI campaigns focus on simply making members of the public more aware of the fact that OI exists. While the desire for increased visibility is commendable, it's time to turn awareness into action: let's start using OI Awareness Week as an opportunity to provide free training to clinicians and other mandated reporters to help them learn how to quickly distinguish between OI and child abuse so they can refer children to the appropriate resources. 

Keep kids with OI and their families together!