Mandible fracture in a child with osteogenesis imperfecta on bisphosphonates. Open versus closed treatment? A case report.

Fractures in the pediatric population are less common than in adults. Facial fractures represent only 4%-5% of total trauma in infants. Osteogenesis imperfecta is a group of genetic disorders where multiple fractures can occur even in early years of life. Long-term treatment with bisphosphonates is currently used in these children in order to increase bone strength and to alleviate symptoms. This paper reports a rare case of a traumatic fracture of the mandible in a 4-year-old child with osteogenesis imperfecta type I. This is an unusual complication in children, even in this group of patients. Open reduction and rigid fixation are not often described as the best treatment. As there are controversies about the subject, a literature review and discussion are presented.