What is the frequency of dwarfism in the population?
Of the estimated 200 types of dwarfism, achondroplasia is by far the most common. Achondroplastic dwarfism is characterized by an average-sized trunk, short arms and legs, and a slightly enlarged head and prominent forehead. Most achondroplastic dwarfs are born to average-sized parents, and account for somewhere between one in 26,000 and one in 40,000 births. Adults, on average, are four feet tall. Diastrophic dysplasia A relatively common form of dwarfism (about one in 100,000 births) first differentiated in 1960; before that, diastrophic dysplasia was thought to be a different form of achondroplasia. The condition is often characterized by short-limbed dwarfism and, in some cases, cleft palate, clubfeet, hitchhiker’s thumb, and ears with a cauliflower appearance. Respiratory problems are sometimes present in infancy, but lifespan is normal. Serious orthopedic problems often require numerous surgical procedures. Growth-hormone deficiency Children with growth-hormone deficiency often g
