Decreased bone density in carriers and patients of an Israeli family with the osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe juvenile-onset osteoporosis and congenital or early-onset blindness. Other manifestations include muscular hypotonia, ligamentous laxity, mild mental retardation and seizures. The gene responsible was recently identified to be the low density lipoprotein receptor-related family member LRP5 on chromosome 11q11-12.

OBJECTIVE: To measure bone density in two siblings with the OPPG syndrome as well as in their family members (parents and siblings).

METHODS: Bone mineral density was determined in the lumbar spine (antero-posterior), femoral neck, two-thirds distal forearm (> 95% cortical bone) and ultradistal forearm (predominantly trabecular bone) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS: The studies revealed osteoporotic changes both in the patients and the carriers.

CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that OPPG carriers have reduced bone mass, which is a risk factor for development of early osteoporotic changes.