A to Z: Achondroplasiaenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/P-khAZDictionary-enHD-AR1.jpgAchondroplasia is a genetic disorder that interferes with bone growth and causes dwarfism (short stature).Achondroplasia, achondroplastic dwarfism, skeletal dysplasia, disproportionate short stature, dwarfism, genes, genetic disorders, short stature, cartilage, ossification, growth plates, lordosis, kyphosis, hydrocephalus, obesity, spinal stenosis, knock-knees, bow-leggedness, bone development, genu varum10/11/201303/18/201909/02/2019b7bb511a-fc3c-4d30-a041-4732bcb5a653https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-achondroplasia.html/<p><a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dictionary/"><img class="right" title="Parents image" src="https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/buttons/P-atoZDictionary-enBT.jpg" alt="A to Z Dictionary 500 Go" name="5093-P_ATOZDICTIONARY2_ENBT.JPG" /></a></p>
<p><strong>May also be called: Achondroplastic Dwarfism; Skeletal Dysplasia</strong></p>
<p>Achondroplasia (ay-kon-druh-PLAY-zhee-uh) is a <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/about-genetics.html/">genetic</a> disorder that interferes with bone growth and causes dwarfism (short stature).</p>
<h3>More to Know</h3>
<p>During a baby's development in the womb, much of the <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/bones-muscles-joints.html/">skeleton</a> is made up of a tough, flexible tissue called cartilage. Normally, cartilage is converted to bone by a process called ossification. With achondroplasia, the body has a problem growing cartilage and converting it to bone, especially in the long bones of the arms and legs. This results in shorter bones, short stature, and often a large head with a prominent forehead. It can also cause <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-genu-valgum.html/">knock-knees</a>, bow-leggedness, or excessive curving of the lower back (lordosis or <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/kyphosis.html/">kyphosis</a>).</p>
<p>Achondroplasia is the most common cause of <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dwarfism.html/">dwarfism</a>. It happens because of a mutation in a gene that develops and maintains bone tissue. Achondroplasia can be inherited from a parent, but in most cases, the mutation in the gene happens at random. Most people with achondroplasia have normal-sized parents.</p>
<p>Since achondroplasia is due to a genetic mutation, those who have it may pass it on to their children. It can be diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound or genetic testing. There is no specific treatment for achondroplasia, but treatment might be necessary if it leads to complications such as <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-hydrocephalus.html/">hydrocephalus</a> (fluid collecting around the brain), obesity, or <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-spinal-stenosis.html/">spinal stenosis</a> (narrowing of the spinal canal).</p>
<h3>Keep in Mind</h3>
<p>There is no cure for achondroplasia, but it does not affect a person's intellectual ability or life span.</p>
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