Achondroplasia is Inherited Condition of Abnormal Cartilage Development

Achondroplasia is Inherited Condition of Abnormal Cartilage Development

Achondroplasia is a disorder, inherited as a dominant characteristic, in which the bones of the arms and legs fail to grow to normal size due to a defect in both cartilage and bone. It results in a type of dwarfism characterized by short limbs, a normal-sized head and body, and normal intelligence. Achondroplasia is the commonest form of human dwarfism. The condition is controlled by an autosomal dominant gene and thus affected children born to normal parents must result from a mutation in one or other parent. The majority of achondroplastics die in early childhood but those surviving are fertile.