Osteogenesis imperfecta is described as brittle bone syndrome?

• A. Osteogenesis imperfecta
• B. Osteoporosis
• C. Rickets
• D. Osteopetrosis

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is recognizing a condition known for bones that break easily due to a defect in bone connective tissue. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disorder that affects type I collagen, weakening the bone matrix and making fractures occur with minimal trauma. This fragility is why it’s described as a brittle bone syndrome.

Other conditions involve bone problems for different reasons: osteoporosis is about reduced bone density increasing fracture risk, but not primarily described as brittle bones from a collagen defect; rickets is a mineralization problem from vitamin D deficiency leading to soft, deformed bones; osteopetrosis features abnormally dense bones from faulty bone remodeling, which can also be brittle but is not the classic “brittle bone syndrome.” The description of brittle bones most accurately fits osteogenesis imperfecta.