Dental OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) Practice Exam

What condition is indicated by blue sclera in a patient?

1. Marfan syndrome

2. Osteogenesis imperfecta

3. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

4. Hypophosphatasia

The correct answer is: Osteogenesis imperfecta

The presence of blue sclera in a patient is a hallmark sign of Osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder characterized by brittle bones. This discoloration occurs due to the reduced amount of collagen in the sclera, which allows the underlying choroidal veins to become more prominent, resulting in a bluish appearance. In Osteogenesis imperfecta, the collagen deficiency impacts not only the bones but also other connective tissues, which can lead to various clinical features such as frequent fractures, deformities, and dental anomalies. Recognizing blue sclera can aid in early diagnosis and management of this condition and highlights the importance of considering connective tissue disorders when observing unique physical findings. Other conditions listed may also have distinct features but do not typically present with blue sclera, making them less relevant in this context. Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Hypophosphatasia present with their own set of clinical signs that do not include this specific indicator. Therefore, Osteogenesis imperfecta is identified correctly due to the blue sclera as a significant clinical manifestation.