Grant: Prize - IHDCYH Talks

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), also known as brittle bone disease, is a rare genetic condition that leads to fragile and deformed bones. As a result, children easily fracture, have reduced mobility, and are shorter in stature. These factors all increase their risk for constipation, especially after surgery. Being constipated is not very pleasant, not easy to talk about, and can even have some embarrassing moments. With no educational resources available to help children learn about their constipation, our team, composed of scientists, clinicians, and children, developed an a colouring book and a series of animated videos including one on teaching children with OI how to have a successful “poop” after surgery. The video features Captain Strong Bone, a femur with OI, who guides his friend, Harry the Humerus, to help relieve his constipation. The animated video relies on visual cues and funny sounds to effectively deliver some potentially embarrassing information in a light-hearted way. While the video was initially created to help the children with OI, the contents of the video, targets children of various ages, who are at risk of constipation. The video is aligned with the IHDCYH’s mandate to facilitate the mobilization of knowledge crucial for the healthy development of children. Animation is an effective and accessible medium that may be used to mobilize research evidence in a meaningful way for children. Children will learn why they are constipated and receive a list of tips to help reduce their risk for constipation, thereby improving their quality of life.