Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. A rare paediatric disorder

ABSTRACT

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva [FOP] is an extremely rare autosomal dominant form of connective tissue disorder, with complete penetrance and variable expression, most of cases represent new mutation. Incidence of the disease is 0.1-0.6 per million. We report a 33 month- old male Libyan child, with bilateral hallux varus and disabling heterotopic osteogenesis in predicable anatomical patterns, occurring spontaneously or after trauma, started at the neck and over time, these heterotopic formations progressed more distally and caudally with resulting restriction of neck mobility and limited movements in other anatomical areas. Therapeutic measures are essentially preventive and aimed at reducing the impact of trauma and falls and iatrogenic complications. The case is discussed with review of the literature