Characterization of bone material properties in pediatric cases of severe osteogenesis imperfecta

This study characterized macroscopic cortical bone material properties and porosity in severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Specimens were from long bone diaphyses of three children with severe OI and five controls of typically developing pediatric bone. They were machined into miniature beams, imaged by micro-CT, and characterized in bending. Severe OI bone demonstrated anisotropic properties to a lesser degree than controls. Increased cortical porosity in severe OI indicates a porous cortex may contribute to fracture risk.