A to Z: Chondrodystrophyenparentshttps://kidshealth.org/EN/images/headers/P-khAZDictionary-enHD-AR1.jpgLearn about genetic disorders and conditions that affect growth and development.Chondrodystrophy, chondrodysplasia, 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 varum, chondrodystrophia10/11/201303/25/201909/02/20195109bac1-3ef5-4c4d-bd23-5fcf00cbf956https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-chondrodystrophy.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><em>May also be called: Chondrodysplasia,</em> <em>Chondrodystrophia</em></p>
<p>Chondrodystrophy (kon-dro-DIS-trah-fee) is a general term that refers to a disorder that interferes with the body's normal development of cartilage. This leads to abnormal skeletal <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/growth-disorder.html/">growth</a> and formation.</p>
<h3>More to Know</h3>
<p>During a baby's development in the womb, much of the skeleton is made up of a tough, flexible tissue called cartilage. Normally, cartilage is converted to bone by a process called ossification. With chondrodystrophy, the body has a problem growing cartilage and converting it to bone, especially in the long <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/bones-muscles-joints.html/">bones</a> of the arms and legs.</p>
<p>Many people with chondrodystrophy have normal-sized trunks, but short limbs and short stature. Chondrodystrophy also can cause knock-knees, 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>Chondrodystophies happen because of a mutation in a gene that develops and maintains bone and brain tissue. These mutation occurs before a baby is born. One type of chondrodystrophy, <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-achondroplasia.html/">achondroplasia</a>, is the most common cause of <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dwarfism.html/">dwarfism</a>. Chondrodystrophy can be inherited from a parent or can be caused by a random gene mutation.</p>
<p>There is no specific treatment for chondrodystrophy, but treatment may be necessary if it leads to complications like <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/hydrocephalus.html/">hydrocephalus</a>, obesity, or <a href="https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-spinal-stenosis.html/">spinal stenosis</a> (a narrowing of the spinal canal).</p>
<h3>Keep in Mind</h3>
<p>There is no cure for chondrodystrophy, but the symptoms are typically only physical<span> and do not</span> affect intellectual ability or life span<span>.</span></p>
<p><em>All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.</em></p>A to Z: AchondroplasiaAchondroplasia is a genetic disorder that interferes with bone growth and causes dwarfism (short stature).https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-achondroplasia.html/b7bb511a-fc3c-4d30-a041-4732bcb5a653A to Z: Deformity, CongenitalLearn about types of birth defects and conditions that affect the size and shape of body parts.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-deformity-congenital.html/08290211-34ea-44e2-99cd-ad5044d98221A to Z: Diastrophic DysplasiaDiastrophic dysplasia is a rare genetic disorder that interferes with bone development and causes abnormal bone growth and dwarfism (short stature). https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-diastrophic-dysplasia.html/1a06f093-7213-4efc-bbf6-7822c0121b8eA to Z: KyphosisLearn more about kyphosis, an abnormal rounding of the spine.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-kyphosis.html/0a5b20b9-c5d0-45b4-8f34-0f5c37c3eaa1A to Z: Kyphosis, CongenitalLearn more about congenital kyphosis, an abnormal rounding of the spine that develops before birth.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-kyphosis-congenital.html/5d8f8643-0505-45b6-bfce-c76eefa0d7a1A to Z: Kyphosis, PosturalLearn more about postural kyphosis, an abnormal rounding of the spine caused by irregular development of bones and muscles, sometimes due to slouching or poor posture.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-postural-kyphosis.html/c3441b59-238a-434c-b879-fdd85d25ccd8A to Z: Kyphosis, Scheuermann'sLearn more about Scheuermann's kyphosis, an abnormal rounding of the spine that can run in families and is usually seen in teens.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-kyphosis-scheurmann.html/e00c0294-18e8-41a1-9601-7ea919ab4761A to Z: Pituitary DwarfismPituitary dwarfism is a condition in which the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone, resulting in a child's slow growth pattern and unusually small stature.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-pituitary-dwarfism.html/902200ed-bb04-4c8b-a3f3-feb45256b728A to Z: Spinal StenosisSpinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces in the spine, or backbone, where the spinal cord is located. Pressure placed on the spinal cord causes pain and disruption to some body functions.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/az-spinal-stenosis.html/adbe7f3e-67c9-4d4f-aa56-fea2dff4da17Birth DefectsSome birth defects are minor and cause no problems; others cause major disabilities. Learn about the different types of birth defects, and how to help prevent them.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/birth-defects.html/eeaa74ff-3f65-4df3-8757-9df2d014c2eeDwarfismA dwarf is a short-statured person whose adult height is 4 feet 10 inches or under. Find out what happens when a person has dwarfism and why some people are born with it.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/dwarfism.html/0d97a6fa-3509-4331-9ccd-8c6bd28ff360Genetic TestingAdvances in genetic testing help doctors diagnose and treat certain illnesses. The type of test done depends on which condition a doctor checks for.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/genetics.html/cbe49a95-6833-41f4-881a-c26287c4a33cGrowth ProblemsIn most cases, teens who are small are just physically maturing a bit more slowly than their friends. Occasionally, though, there's a medical reason why some kids and teens stop growing. Find out about growth problems and how doctors can help.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/growth-hormone.html/439c5515-a0d3-425e-9e5d-4cc0fb91d8b4KyphosisYour spine, or backbone, normally curves forward gently as it runs up your back. Sometimes, though, someone's back can be rounded too far forward, which is a condition known as kyphosis.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/teens/kyphosis.html/7edf625a-f62d-482c-954b-fc0baae94c00Prenatal Genetic CounselingGenetic counselors work with people who are either planning to have a baby or are pregnant to determine whether they carry the genes for certain inherited disorders. Find out more.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/genetic-counseling.html/ce3b2896-0a32-4c87-aa11-b2a7da9d790bWhat Is a Gene?Why does one kid have green eyes while another kid's eyes are brown? It's all in the genes! Find out how genes work, what happens when there are problems with genes, and more.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/kids/what-is-gene.html/94bc3da2-1fa1-4488-8a5c-70e18a4db97aWhen Your Baby Has a Birth DefectIf your child has a birth defect, you don't have to go it alone - many people and resources are available to help you.https://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/baby-has-birth-defect.html/9c0573a4-68a2-4d7d-a868-26999e332361kh:age-allAgesOrAgeAgnostickh:clinicalDesignation-developmentalMedicinekh:genre-dictionarykh:primaryClinicalDesignation-neurosurgeryChttps://kidshealth.org/ws/RadyChildrens/en/parents/dictionary/c/fdabc7bf-e1f5-4c6b-9f0b-00e1f3eac955https://kidshealth.org/EN/images/buttons/P-atoZDictionary-enBT.jpg