“Addiction is a crisis that affects millions, but breaking it down into numbers reveals just how widespread substance use really is:

• According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 16.9 million young adults (ages 18-25)—nearly half of this age group—reported drinking alcohol in the last month.*
• Of these, 8.3 million were men (48.4%) and 8.6 million were women (50.8%).
• Each year, excessive alcohol consumption leads to more than 178,000 deaths in the U.S., making it one of the leading preventable causes of death.*
• Opioid misuse, another major concern, claimed the lives of over 106,000 individuals in 2021—a number that continues to grow.*

These statistics are more than just numbers—they reflect real people, families, and communities affected by substance use and its consequences. But here’s the good news: understanding the science and realities of addiction is the first step toward creating a healthier path forward.”

Gibson Center for Behavioral Change – Hope, Strength and Evolve (https://gibson-center.com/fact-over-fiction-national-drug-and-alcohol-facts)

Know the signs of addiction:

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

• Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
• Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
• Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
• Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
• Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
• Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
• Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
• Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it’s causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
• Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
• Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
• Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members

Sometimes it’s difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or anxiety from signs of drug use. Possible signs that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:

• Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance
• Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, or red eyes
• Neglected appearance — lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks
• Changes in behavior — major efforts to bar family members from entering the teenager’s room or being secretive about going out with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends
• Money issues — sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they’re being sold to support drug use.

Alcohol Addiction:

People who drink are affected even before they show signs of being drunk, especially when it comes to decision-making abilities.

At first, alcohol causes people to feel upbeat and excited. But this is temporary and they shouldn’t be fooled.

If drinking continues, the effects on the body—and the potential risks—multiply. Here’s what can happen:

• Inhibitions and memory: People may say and do things that they will regret later, or possibly not remember at all. Inhibitions are lost – leading to poor decision making.
• Decision-making skills: When they drink, individuals are more likely to be impulsive. They may be at greater risk for having an alcohol-related traffic crash, getting into fights, or making unwise decisions about sex.
• Coordination and physical control: When drinking leads to loss of balance, slurred speech, and blurred vision, even normal activities can become more dangerous.
• Death: Drinking too much alcohol can also lead to death. If people drink too much, they will eventually get sleepy and pass out. Reflexes like gagging and breathing can be suppressed. That means they could vomit and choke, or stop breathing completely.

And finally, it’s easy to misjudge how long alcohol’s effects last. Alcohol continues to affect the brain and body long after the last drink has been finished. Even after someone stops drinking, alcohol in the stomach and intestine continues to enter the bloodstream, impairing judgment and coordination for hours.

An alcohol blackout is a gap in a person’s memory for events that took place while he or she was drinking. When a blackout happens, a person’s brain does not create memories for these events as they are happening. For people who have had a blackout, it can be frightening to wake up the next day and not remember what they did the night before.

Teens drink for a variety of reasons. Some teens want to experience new things. Others feel pressured into drinking by peers. And some are looking for a way to cope with stress or other problems. Unfortunately, drinking will only make any problems a person has already worse, not better.

Symptoms

Alcohol is a drug!  Alcohol use disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, based on the number of symptoms you experience. Signs and symptoms may include:

• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
• Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so
• Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol or recovering from alcohol use
• Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
• Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home due to repeated alcohol use
• Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical, social, work or relationship problems
• Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
• Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don’t drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms

Clinical Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include:

• Confusion
• Difficulty remaining conscious
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Trouble with breathing
• Slow heart rate
• Clammy skin
• Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking)
• Extremely low body temperature
• Death.

Alcohol use disorder can include periods of being drunk (alcohol intoxication) and symptoms of withdrawal.

• Alcohol intoxication results as the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream increases. The higher the blood alcohol concentration is, the more likely you are to have bad effects. Alcohol intoxication causes behavior problems and mental changes. These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, poor judgment, slurred speech, problems with attention or memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called “blackouts,” where you don’t remember events. Very high blood alcohol levels can lead to coma, permanent brain damage or even death.
• Alcohol withdrawal can occur when alcohol use has been heavy and prolonged and is then stopped or greatly reduced. It can occur within several hours to 4 to 5 days later. Signs and symptoms include sweating, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, problems sleeping, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, restlessness and agitation, anxiety, and occasionally seizures. Symptoms can be severe enough to impair your ability to function at work or in social situations.

When to see a doctor:

If you feel that you sometimes drink too much alcohol, or your drinking is causing problems, or if your family is concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider. Other ways to get help include talking with a mental health professional or seeking help from a support group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or a similar type of self-help group.

Because denial is common, you may feel like you don’t have a problem with drinking. You might not recognize how much you drink or how many problems in your life are related to alcohol use. Listen to relatives, friends or co-workers when they ask you to examine your drinking habits or to seek help. Consider talking with someone who has had a problem with drinking but has stopped.

Causes:

Genetic, psychological, social and environmental factors can impact how drinking alcohol affects your body and behavior. Theories suggest that for certain people drinking has a different and stronger impact that can lead to alcohol use disorder.

Over time, drinking too much alcohol may change the normal function of the areas of your brain associated with the experience of pleasure, judgment and the ability to exercise control over your behavior. This may result in craving alcohol to try to restore good feelings or reduce negative ones.

Risk factors:

Alcohol use may begin in the teens, but alcohol use disorder occurs more frequently in the 20s and 30s, though it can start at any age.

Risk factors for alcohol use disorder include:

• Steady drinking over time. Drinking too much on a regular basis for an extended period or binge drinking on a regular basis can lead to alcohol-related problems or alcohol use disorder.
• Starting at an early age. People who begin drinking — especially binge drinking — at an early age are at a higher risk of alcohol use disorder.
• Family history. The risk of alcohol use disorder is higher for people who have a parent or other close relative who has problems with alcohol. This may be influenced by genetic factors.
• Depression and other mental health problems. It’s common for people with a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder to have problems with alcohol or other substances.
• History of trauma. People with a history of emotional trauma or other trauma are at increased risk of alcohol use disorder.
• Having bariatric surgery. Some research studies indicate that having bariatric surgery may increase the risk of developing alcohol use disorder or of relapsing after recovering from alcohol use disorder.
• Social and cultural factors. Having friends or a close partner who drinks regularly could increase your risk of alcohol use disorder. The glamorous way that drinking is sometimes portrayed in the media also may send the message that it’s OK to drink too much. For young people, the influence of parents, peers and other role models can impact risk.

Complications:

Alcohol depresses your central nervous system. In some people, the initial reaction may feel like an increase in energy. But as you continue to drink, you become drowsy and have less control over your actions.

Too much alcohol affects your speech, muscle coordination and vital centers of your brain. A heavy drinking binge may even cause a life-threatening coma or death. This is of particular concern when you’re taking certain medications that also depress the brain’s function.

Excessive drinking can reduce your judgment skills and lower inhibitions, leading to poor choices and dangerous situations or behaviors.

Health Problems That can Arise:

• Liver disease. Heavy drinking can cause increased fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis) and inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis). Over time, heavy drinking can cause irreversible destruction and scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis).
• Digestive problems. Heavy drinking can result in inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. It can also interfere with your body’s ability to get enough B vitamins and other nutrients. Heavy drinking can damage your pancreas or lead to inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Heart problems. Excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure and increases your risk of an enlarged heart, heart failure or stroke. Even a single binge can cause serious irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) called atrial fibrillation.
• Diabetes complications. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose from your liver and can increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is dangerous if you have diabetes and are already taking insulin or some other diabetes medications to lower your blood sugar level.
• Issues with sexual function and periods. Heavy drinking can cause men to have difficulty maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). In women, heavy drinking can interrupt menstrual periods.
• Eye problems. Over time, heavy drinking can cause involuntary rapid eye movement (nystagmus) as well as weakness and paralysis of your eye muscles due to a deficiency of vitamin B-1 (thiamin). A thiamin deficiency can result in other brain changes, such as irreversible dementia, if not promptly treated.
• Birth defects. Alcohol use during pregnancy may cause miscarriage. It may also cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs can cause a child to be born with physical and developmental problems that last a lifetime.
• Bone damage. Alcohol may interfere with making new bone. Bone loss can lead to thinning bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures. Alcohol can also damage bone marrow, which makes blood cells. This can cause a low platelet count, which may result in bruising and bleeding.
• Neurological complications. Excessive drinking can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and pain in your hands and feet, disordered thinking, dementia, and short-term memory loss.
• Weakened immune system. Excessive alcohol use can make it harder for your body to resist disease, increasing your risk of various illnesses, especially pneumonia.
• Increased risk of cancer. Long-term, excessive alcohol use has been linked to a higher risk of many cancers, including mouth, throat, liver, esophagus, colon and breast cancers. Even moderate drinking can increase the risk of breast cancer.
• Medication and alcohol interactions. Some medications interact with alcohol, increasing its toxic effects. Drinking while taking these medications can either increase or decrease their effectiveness, or make them dangerous.

Marijuana, hashish & other cannabis-containing substances:

People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

• A sense of euphoria or feeling “high”
• A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Red eyes
• Dry mouth
• Decreased coordination
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Slowed reaction time
• Anxiety or paranoid thinking
• Cannabis odor on clothes or yellow fingertips
• Major cravings for certain foods at unusual times

Long-term use is often associated with:

• Decreased mental sharpness
• Poor performance at school or at work
• Ongoing cough and frequent lung infections

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics:

Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They’re often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to “switch off” or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings.

• Barbiturates. An example is phenobarbital.
• Benzodiazepines. Examples include sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
• Hypnotics. Examples include prescription sleeping medicines such as zolpidem (Ambien) and zaleplon (Sonata).

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

• Drowsiness
• Slurred speech
• Lack of coordination
• Irritability or changes in mood
• Problems concentrating or thinking clearly
• Memory problems
• Involuntary eye movements
• Lack of inhibition
• Slowed breathing and reduced blood pressure
• Falls or accidents
• Dizziness

Complications to the body with these legal and illegal medications:

• Taking part in risky behaviors such as drink driving or unprotected sex
• Changes in behavior such as mood swings or increased aggression toward others
• Impacts on sleep or experiencing insomnia
• Cognitive/memory problems
• Reduced appetite or not eating a balanced diet
• Regular colds and flu
• Long term health impacts such as liver, kidney and heart problems or cancer (depending on the type of drug used and how frequently it was used)

“Drugs and your body can have a toxic relationship when they are used inappropriately!

Drugs change you from the inside out. They damage your organs and affect your mental health. In the wrong combination or in the wrong dose, they can even be deadly.

That goes for certain prescription drugs, too. Misusing prescription medications — like Adderall®, Vicodin®, and Xanax® — can lead to lasting problems like addiction.

Not to mention leaving you vulnerable to an overdose.

Every year, millions of fake pills (also called counterfeit pills) are made to look like real prescription drugs you get from your doctor.¹  Fake pills often contain fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.²  It only takes a tiny amount to cause a fatal overdose. In 2024, 5 out of 10 pills tested contained a potentially deadly dose of fentanyl.³”

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC (The Truth About Drugs: What You Need to Know Now | CDC)

“What Is the Worst Drug? introduces viewers to the dangers of fentanyl and the staggering mortality rates of nicotine and alcohol use.

For starters, that is a very complicated question because like, it depends on what kind of worst are you thinking about. And alcohol and nicotine are the most pervasive used drugs and because of that they also are accountable for a lot of deaths and also health issues because of prolonged use of these drugs or binge-like use of alcohol. And right now, in the US we have a very dangerous drug that is fentanyl that is a synthetic opioid that has been mixed into other drugs and is contaminating meth, coke, heroin and fentanyl is very potent and it can cause death.

1. Fentanyl is 50x more potent than heroin and when misused the consequences can be fatal.  Know this is commonly used in OR where there is cardiac rhythm monitors and a RN watching the pt closely with maybe 3 more patients; possible less.   That is how dangerous the drug is!  Fentanyl earns the top spot on this list due to it being the most addictive, most powerful, and most deadly. This fully synthetic opioid is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and is currently the number one cause of overdose fatality in the United States. Because of its strength, even a minuscule amount of fentanyl can cause a fatal overdose in an individual who has built up opioid tolerance. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people.

Drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl are extremely dangerous for an individual who’s using them, but other substances are more dangerous for the population at large because so many people use these substances, and they can have dangerous effects. So, one example of that is nicotine. Smoking causes nearly 500, 000 related deaths a year which is a pretty staggering mortality rate. Alcohol is also used by many people and it can result in health problems, it can result in overdose death, it can also cause people to be in hazardous situations, to get into car accidents as a result of impaired driving. So, at a population level, since it’s much more used it is one of the worst substances.

2. Heroin is a central nervous system depressant and semi-synthetic opiate made from the drug morphine. When used, heroin suppresses breathing and reduces heart rate to dangerously low levels. As a depressant, this opioid is the source of many fatal overdoses and has largely contributed to the ongoing opioid epidemic.

As one of the most dangerous drugs on the planet, heroin may cause breathing cessation, heart infection, liver disease, collapsed veins, and death.The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports drug overdose deaths involving heroin rose from 1,960 in 1999 to 15,469 in 2016.

Any medication you take illegal and for a high especially through your vein is addictive!

3.  Cocaineis a highly addictive stimulant that comes in powder form. When abused, the drug negatively impacts central nervous system functions and can cause stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, convulsions, and death. In 2017, drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased by more than 34%, with almost 14,000 Americans dying from an overdose involving cocaine.

B. Crack cocaine is a form of powdered cocaine that has been chemically manipulated and hardened into a crystalline rock. Being a cheaper alternative to cocaine, crack is widely abused and extremely addictive. In 2016, there were an estimated 432,000 current crack users in the United States alone. The substance acts as a stimulant and causes irreversible bodily damage when abused.

Regardless of how much of the drug is used or how frequently, crack cocaine raises the danger of a heart attack, stroke, seizure, or respiratory failure, all of which can result in sudden death. In addition to the standard risks associated with cocaine use, crack users may experience serious respiratory troubles, including coughing, shortness of breath, lung damage, and bleeding. The heart, liver, and kidneys of long-term users of crack cocaine are severely harmed and users are more likely to be afflicted with infectious illnesses.

4. Methamphetamine  is typically referred to as “meth”, this stimulant ranks within the top five most addictive, illicit drugs in the world. When used, meth produces a rush of euphoria, increased alertness, increased energy, and feelings of invincibility. Long-term meth use can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke, in addition to harming your liver and kidneys. Meth can also cause your brain to permanently lose dopamine, which impairs memory, speech, and other mental functions.

Psychotic problems such as mood swings, paranoia, delusions, hallucinations, and violent and aggressive behavior are also likely to arise with prolonged meth use. Even after you have stopped using meth, you may continue to experience memory loss, confusion, and insomnia for months or years. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, methamphetamine was the second-largest contributor to overdose deaths in the United States between May 2019 and May 2020.

5. Oxycodone is an extremely potent opioid prescription drug. It is often available in combination with other analgesics such as aspirin or acetaminophen. Due to it being twice as potent as morphine, oxycodone is highly addictive and life-threatening when abused. As stated in the CDC’s National Vital Statistics Report, oxycodone use ranked first in overdose deaths in 2011 with 5,587 overdose fatalities that year.   It is legal by prescription only.

Oxycodone is commonly used in the hospital for pain.

6. Benzodiazepines  They are a class of prescription drugs used to treat various anxiety and sleep disorders. According to data collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the number of adults filling a benzodiazepine prescription increased 67%, from 8.1 million to 13.5 million between 1996 and 2013. Due to the sedative quality of benzos, they are at high risk for abuse and addiction. Although overdose fatalities from benzodiazepines are not common, the prescription drug is very dangerous when combined with other addictive substances such as alcohol or opioids.

The Rise of Drug Use for Adults Ages 26-49

While young adults ages 18-25 have the highest rates of drug use across the board, drug use among adults ages 26-49 is on the rise:

• The percentage of adults age 26 and older using marijuana daily or almost daily has nearly doubled since 2015.
• Cocaine use and death rates have risen; cocaine-involved overdose rates in the U.S. have risen annually since 2012.
• Meth use is on the rise and overdose death rates climbed more than five-fold for those ages 25 to 54 between 2011 and 2018.
• The nation remains in a prescription and illicit opioids crisis, as 81,230 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S.—the highest single year ever reported—in the 12 months ending in May 2020; most of the overdose deaths involved a prescription or illicit opioid.”

Center for Disease Control and Prevention – CDC/March 07, 2025

(Cannabis Facts and Stats | Cannabis and Public Health | CDC)

Key Statistics at a Glance with Alcohol misuse:

• 40–60% of individuals treated for substance use disorders will relapse at least once.
• Over 93% of people with a past-year substance use disorder did not receive specialty treatment.
• The cost of alcohol misuse in the U.S. is about $249 billion annually – one of the highest among all substances.
• American Indian/Alaska Native communities experience a 27.6% past-year substance use disorder rate – significantly above the national average.

Age-Stratified Usage Rates

Understanding the distribution of substance use by age helps target prevention and early intervention efforts where they can be most effective.

• Teens (12–17)
  • Alcohol use in the past month is relatively low, at roughly 9–10%.
  • Marijuana use during the past year hovers near 10%.
  • Inhalant misuse remains one of the earliest experiments, with average first use around age 13.
• Young Adults (18–25)
  • Over 50% report alcohol use in the past month – this group has the highest binge drinking rates.
  • About 34–39% have used illicit drugs in the past year, including marijuana, prescription misuse, cocaine, or hallucinogens.
  • Tobacco or nicotine product use often spikes here (24–25% in some surveys).
• Adults (26+)
  • Alcohol use remains substantial (around half of adults drink monthly), though binge and heavy drinking rates drop relative to the 18–25 cohort.
  • Illicit drug use, outside of marijuana, tends to decrease with age.

“Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, is a rare genetic disorder characterized by fragile bones that fracture easily, often with little or no trauma. It results from defects in type I collagen production or quality.

Global prevalence

• The condition occurs in about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 births worldwide biologyinsights.com+2.
• This translates to an estimated ~72,400 prevalent cases globally in recent years DelveInsight.

U.S. prevalence

• In the United States, the number of people living with OI is estimated at 25,000 to 50,000 biologyinsights.com+2.
• This range reflects challenges in diagnosing milder forms, which may go undetected.
• In 2023, U.S. prevalence data showed roughly 15,000 Type I, 3,300 Type II, 1,500 Type III, 2,800 Type IV, and ~4,800 “others” cases DelveInsight.

Incidence

• The incidence rate (new cases per year) is about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 20,000 births worldwide biologyinsights.com+1.
• This rate is similar for both severe and milder forms of OI, as milder cases may not be diagnosed until later in life.

In summary, OI is a rare but significant genetic disorder, with ~72,000 people worldwide and ~25,000–50,000 in the U.S. living with the condition at any given time.”

Biology Insights (Osteogenesis Imperfecta Statistics: Prevalence and Types – Biology Insights)

How is osteogenesis imperfecta diagnosed in a child?

Your baby’s healthcare provider will ask questions about your baby’s medical history, your family and pregnancy history, and your baby’s current symptoms. He or she will examine your baby, looking for signs and symptoms of OI. The milder forms of OI may be difficult to diagnose in a baby.

Your baby’s healthcare provider may refer you to specialists with experience in diagnosing and treating OI. For example, your baby may be referred to a specialist in genetic conditions (geneticist) or in bone disorders (orthopedist).

Your baby’s healthcare provider or the specialists may recommend the following diagnostic tests:

• X-rays. These may show many changes such as weak or deformed bones and fractures.
• Lab tests. Blood, saliva, and skin may be checked. The tests may include gene testing.
• Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry scan (DXA or DEXA scan). A scan of the bones to check for softening.
• Bone biopsy. A sample of the hipbone is checked. This test requires sleep medicine (general anesthesia).

How is osteogenesis imperfecta treated in a child?

Your child’s healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on:

• How old your child is
• Your child’s overall health and medical history
• How sick your child is
• How well your child handles certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
• If your child’s condition is expected to get worse
• Your opinion and preference

The main goal of treatment is to prevent deformities and fractures. And, once your child gets older, to allow him or her to function as independently as possible. Treatments for preventing or correcting symptoms may include:

• Bisphosphonate medicines. These are medicines that help to strengthen bones and prevent fractures. They may be used in most types of OI. They may be given by mouth or by IV (intravenous line) into a vein.
• Care of fractures. The lightest possible materials are used to cast fractured bones. To prevent further problems, it is recommended that a child begin moving or using the affected area as soon as possible.
• Orthopedic treatment. May include bracing and splinting. Surgery may also be needed.
• Rodding. Metal rods are inserted to help hold in place (stabilize) and prevent deformities of long bones.
• Dental procedures. Treatments, including capping teeth, braces, and surgery may be needed.
• Physical and occupational therapy. Both are very important in babies and children with OI.
• Assistive devices. Wheelchairs and other custom-made equipment may be needed as babies get older.

What are the possible complications of osteogenesis imperfecta in a child?

Complications may affect most body systems in a baby or child with OI. The risk of developing complications depends on the type and severity of your baby’s OI. Complications may include the following:

• Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia
• Heart problems such as poor heart valve function
• Kidney stones
• Joint problems
• Hearing loss
• Eye conditions and vision loss

How can I help my child live with osteogenesis imperfecta?

OI is a lifelong condition. Managing it may include the following:

• Avoiding fractures. If your baby has medium to severe OI, he or she needs to be picked up, diapered, and dressed very carefully. His or her position should be changed throughout the day. As your baby gets older, it will be important to help him or her avoid injuries. A physical or occupational therapist, as well as other healthcare providers, can help.
• Avoiding infection. Your baby may be more likely to get colds and other respiratory infections. And he or she may get sicker with an infection. Make sure your baby has all of his vaccines (immunizations). During cold and flu season, stay away from crowds. Make sure that you wash your hands well. As your child gets older, teach him or her to do the same.
• Dealing with pain. Fractures and deformities can be very painful. Talk with your baby’s healthcare provider about pain medicine or other ways to lessen pain.
• Dealing with challenges. As your child gets older, he or she may have emotional and physical challenges.
• Regular medical and dental checkups. Your baby will need regular checkups and tests. These include eye and dental exams.
• Weight management. When your child gets older he or she may gain weight because of the decreased physical activity.

“Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic or heritable disease in which bones fracture (break) easily, often with no obvious cause or minimal injury. OI is also known as brittle bone disease, and the symptoms can range from mild with only a few fractures to severe with many medical complications.

For most people, a change or defect in the genes that carry the instructions for making type I collagen causes OI.  Type I collagen is a material in bones that helps make them strong. The defect in the genes causes the body to make collagen incorrectly or not make enough, leading to weak bones that break more easily. There is no way to prevent the disease.”

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders (Osteogenesis Imperfecta Symptoms, Types, & Causes | NIAMS)

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is an inherited (genetic) bone disorder that is present at birth. It is also known as brittle bone disease. A child born with OI may have soft bones that break (fracture) easily, bones that are not formed normally, and other problems. Signs and symptoms may range from mild to severe.

There are at least 8 different types of the disease. The types vary greatly, both within and between types. They are based on the type of inheritance (see below), and signs and symptoms. These include findings on X-rays and other imaging tests. The OI types are as follows:

• Type I. Mildest and most common type. About 50% of all affected children have this type. There are few fractures and deformities
• Type II. Most severe type. A baby has very short arms and legs, a small chest, and soft skull. He or she may be born with fractured bones. He or she may also have a low birth weight and lungs that are not well developed. A baby with type II OI usually dies within weeks of birth
• Type III. Most severe type in babies who don’t die as newborns. At birth, a baby may have slightly shorter arms and legs than normal and arm, leg, and rib fractures. A baby may also have a larger than normal head, a triangle-shaped face, a deformed chest and spine, and breathing and swallowing problems. These symptoms are different in each baby.
• Type IV. Symptoms are between mild and severe. A baby with type IV may be diagnosed at birth. He or she may not have any fractures until crawling or walking. The bones of the arms and legs may not be straight. He or she may not grow normally.
• Type V. Similar to type IV. Symptoms may be medium to severe. It is common to have enlarged thickened areas (hypertrophic calluses) in the areas where large bones are fractured
• Type VI. Very rare. Symptoms are medium. Similar to type IV.
• Type VII. May be like type IV or type II. It is common to have shorter than normal height. Also common to have shorter than normal upper arm and thighbones.
• Type VIII. Similar to types II and III. Very soft bones and severe growth problems.

What causes osteogenesis imperfecta in a child?

OI is passed on through the genes. The different types are passed on in different ways. The gene may be inherited from one or both parents. Or the gene can be passed on from an unexplained change (spontaneous mutation) of a gene.

Most babies with OI have a defect of one of two genes. These genes help in forming collagen. Collagen is a main part of connective tissue that connects and supports the whole body, including the bones. Because of the defect, there is not enough collagen. Or the collagen is abnormal.

What are the symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta in a child?

The symptoms of OI vary greatly within and between types. Symptoms of OI include:

• Easily broken bones
• Bone deformities, such as bowing of the legs
• Discoloration of the white of the eye (sclera), may be blue or gray in color
• A barrel-shaped chest
• A curved spine
• A triangle-shaped face
• Loose joints
• Muscle weakness
• Skin that easily bruises
• Hearing loss in early adulthood
• Soft, discolored teeth

The symptoms of osteogenesis imperfecta may look like other medical conditions. Always see your child’s healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

“What your liver functions are:

• Your liver is essential to your life. It is the largest internal organ, and gland, in the body. It is about the size of a football and weighs up to 4 pounds. It is located on your right side, just under your rib cage.

• The liver performs more than 500 functions, many vital, including filtering toxins from your blood, managing blood clotting, making bile to digest fat, storing and controlling blood sugar for energy (glucose/glycogen), making protein for blood plasma, storing your body’s iron, creating proteins, eliminating old and damaged red blood cells, and helping fight off infections.

With Liver Disease:

• Liver disease is also called hepatic disease. There are many kinds of liver diseases and conditions, the most common are hepatitis virus infections, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) which is formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), immune system abnormalities, inherited (genetic) conditions, cancer, damage from alcohol and substance use disorders, and others. There are more than 100 types of liver disease, most of which are in groups of subtypes.”

American Liver Foundation (Liver Functionality)