Review Question - QID 213662

A 4-year-old boy presents to the pediatrician to establish care and to be evaluated before starting school. On presentation, he has a cast over his left arm and right leg and his parents say that he seems to break a bone every few months. His parents both travel extensively for work so he is often being taken care of by other relatives. Otherwise, he has met all of the developmental milestones though he appears to be shy and withdrawn. A radiograph is obtained showing multiple old fractures in his arms and legs bilaterally in various stages of healing. Physical exam reveals a blue tint to his sclera. Which of the following characteristics is associated with the most likely cause of this patient's symptoms?