Anaesthesia in a parturient with osteogenesis imperfecta.

A 20-yr-old primigravida at 38 weeks gestation with premature rupture of membranes and evidence of fetal distress required urgent Caesarean section. The diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta had been made 4 days earlier. The patient refused a regional anaesthetic. Difficulties in the administration of general anaesthesia to patients with osteogenesis imperfecta were recognized and managed accordingly. These problems are discussed and the importance of early antenatal assessment of such patients by the department of anaesthesia is emphasized.