Project launched that uses stem cells to treat brittle bone disease in the womb

A trial that uses stem cell injections to treat osteogenesis imperfecta, more commonly known as brittle bone disease, prior to and just after birth has been launched by teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH) in collaboration with colleagues across Europe.

By carrying out genetic screening in pregnant women whose baby is suspected of having severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), babies identified with the condition may be treated with a stem cell that increases the production of collagen in the body. This then reduces the number of painful bone fractures a child experiences once born.

OI affects around one in 15