General Information: Most common growth related birth defect. People with this have been called dwarves, but perfer the term "little people." They have normal sized heads and torsos, but the long bones (arms and legs) didn't grow.
Chromosomal cause:
A change on cromosome #4. It is a dominant condition, but 80% of cases are from a new mutation. Both parents were normal, but the child has the condition.
Characteristics: Usually the person with achondroplasia will not grow to be more than four feet in height. Legs are usually bowed and the fingers bent. Intelligence is normal.
Achondroplasia (ah-con-droh-play-see-ya)
Other Information