title: Achondroplasia.
abstract: Achondroplasia (MIM 100800) is the most common non-lethal skeletal dysplasia. Its incidence is between one in 10,000 and one in 30,000. The phenotype is characterized by rhizomelic disproportionate short stature, enlarged head, midface hypoplasia, short hands and lordotic lumbar spine, associated with normal cognitive development. This autosomal-dominant disorder is caused by a gain-of-function mutation in the gene encoding the type 3 receptor for fibroblast growth factor (FGFR3); in more than 95% of cases, the mutation is G380R. The diagnosis is suspected on physical examination and confirmed by different age-related radiological features. Anticipatory and management care by a multidisciplinary team will prevent and treat complications, including cervical cord compression, conductive hearing loss and thoracolumbar gibbosity. Weight counselling, psychosocial guidance and professional integration programmes play an important role in the global quality of life of these patients and their families.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75743 Paris Cedex 15, France.
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baujat
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Legeai-Mallet
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finidori
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cormier-Daire
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Merrer
mesh_terms: D000130:Achondroplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C496365:FGFR3 protein, human; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3