Oral clodronate as treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta

The benefits of treatment with intravenous pamidronate in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) have recently been reported.1–3 These include reduced bone resorption, increased bone density, and improved clinical outcomes as judged by apparently lower fracture rates. We would like to report a single case of OI treated by the orally administered bisphosphonate, clodronate, with good effect. A boy, whose mother was affected with clinically diagnosed type 1 osteogenesis imperfecta, was referred to our unit aged 13½12 with a recent onset of severe back pain that had required hospital admission. He appeared of normal stature with blue sclerae and was able to walk independently. He had sustained four previous limb fractures; lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine confirmed three vertebral wedge fractures. He was 158.9 cm tall (10th centile) and weighed 49 kg (25th centile). Lumbar spine bone mineral density scanning …