OI Issues:
Nutrition

Introduction

To promote bone development and optimal health, children and adults with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) should eat a balanced diet, which is low in fat, salt and added sugar and contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. Excessive weight gain should be avoided. Depending on the severity of OI, body size, and activity level, it may be necessary to reduce portion size, meal frequency, and total caloric intake to reach a healthy balance.

Finding a healthy balance between calorie intake and exercise can be difficult. Complicating factors for people with OI can include:

• Small body size
• Limited mobility
• Low appetite
• Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI)

Because OI is a genetic disorder of collagen, and not a calcium or nutrient deficiency, there are no foods or supplements that will cure OI.

Nutrition Related Problems

Constipation is a problem for some people with OI. Pelvic asymmetry, seen in people with more severe OI, is associated with a tendency to have constipation. A high-fiber diet, drinking  plenty of water and other fluids and physical activity may help remedy this problem. A physician should monitor chronic constipation. In some cases, it can result in serious complications. For more detailed information see the OI Foundation fact sheet “OI Issues: Constipation”.

Difficulties eating solid food have been identified as a problem for some children with OI. Swallowing studies are useful for evaluating eating problems in infants and children. Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI), decreased muscle strength and tongue control can make it difficult to transition from a diet based on milk or formula and pureed foods into eating solid foods. A food program designed by a clinical nutritionist or an oral motor therapist may be necessary to introduce a variety of food textures into the child’s diet.

Failure to thrive is occasionally raised as a concern for infants with OI. Physicians and parents are cautioned to carefully evaluate the situation because many infants who have OI are unusually small, and do not grow at the normal rate. Some infants have difficulty eating due to respiratory problems or gastric reflux. Swallowing studies may provide information to guide treatment.

Malnutrition has been identified in some children and adults with OI. It is caused by low caloric intake, difficulties eating solid food, and a decreased appetite. Children and adults who suffer from chronic pain, or who recently have had surgery, may have very small appetites. In these situations it is important to obtain adequate nutrition and hydration.

Obesity is a serious issue for some children and adults with OI. Lack of physical activity, small body size and a diet high in fat, salt and calories can quickly cause a person to be overweight. Extra weight can impede mobility, put additional stress on weak bones, and increase the risk of other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Body mass index (BMI)--the ratio of weight to height—is frequently used to determine if a person is at a healthy weight. A BMI of 25 is considered overweight. People with OI who are shorter than average or who have rods tend to have a BMI in the 26-27 range, a score that would indicate overweight in others. For more information or to calculate your BMI visit the Center for Disease Control web site, http://www.cdc.gov/.

Weight Control

Strategies for maintaining a healthy weight include:

·     Eat low-fat, high-nutrient foods,

• Control portion size,
• Exercise as much as safely possible,
• Consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist about food choices, and how to limit portion size without missing out on important nutrients,
• Consult with a doctor or physical therapist about increasing physically activity.

 Calcium and Bone Health 

Calcium does not improve the basic collagen defects that cause OI. Even so, people with OI need to get adequate calcium in their diets to develop peak bone mass and prevent bone loss. Bone loss from any cause (calcium related, inactivity related, age related) makes OI bones even more fragile. In 1997, the National Academy of Sciences developed the following Recommended Dietary Intake for calcium:

         Young children (1-3)                             500 mg a day
         Older children (4-8)                               800 mg a day
         Preteens/adolescents (9-18)                   1,300 mg a day
         Men and women (19-50)                         1,000 mg a day
         Men and women (50+)                            1,200 mg a day

These guidelines were developed for people of average height and weight. A person with OI may have lower calcium needs. It is recommended that people with OI, particularly if they are much smaller than average, or have a family history of kidney stones talk to a physician and/or registered dietitian about their individual calcium needs. A measurement of calcium in a 24-hour urine collection may help determine if a person with OI is getting too much or too little calcium.

 If you are unable to get the appropriate amount of calcium for your body size and age through your diet, a calcium supplement may be needed. Calcium supplements are also sometimes recommended for people taking certain medications such as bisphosphonates. Check with your doctor to determine if a supplement is necessary.

 Low-fat and skim milk have the same amount of calcium as whole milk, but significantly fewer calories. In addition to dairy products, calcium is also found in foods such as broccoli, kale, some dried beans and nuts and soy-based products. Manufacturers are increasingly fortifying other foods, such as cereal and bread, with calcium. Most brands of calcium fortified orange juice have the same amount of calcium as milk.

 Vitamin D and Bone Health