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Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
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Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects

Published on: April 11, 2012

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Does osteogenesis imperfecta predispose infants to metaphyseal fractures? A systematic review

Ella Riley1, Michael Paddock2,3, Sara Elgarwany4

  • 1School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

BMJ Paediatrics Open
|April 8, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) has a controversial link to metaphyseal fractures in young children. Limited evidence suggests OI does not predispose infants to these fractures, and abuse should be considered.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Orthopedics
  • Skeletal Dysplasias
  • Child Abuse and Neglect

Background:

  • Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by fragile bones.
  • The association between OI and metaphyseal fractures in young children is debated.
  • Metaphyseal fractures are often indicative of non-accidental trauma in infants and young children.

Conclusions:

  • There is currently limited scientific evidence to support the claim that osteogenesis imperfecta predisposes infants and young children to metaphyseal fractures.
  • Metaphyseal fractures in this age group, even with a confirmed OI diagnosis, warrant careful consideration for physical abuse.
  • Further large-scale studies are needed to definitively clarify the relationship between OI and metaphyseal fractures.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child AbuseChild HealthInfant

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