STANDARD WEIGHT-FOR-HEIGHT CURVES IN ACHONDROPLASIA

Standard curves developed for the general population cannot be used to assess the growth of an individual who has a condition that results i n disproportionate short stature. For this reason, efforts have been m ade to develop growth curves specific for several of the chondrodyspla sias. However, data concerning weight for height have been largely lac king, although they may be of particular importance for conditions suc h as achondroplasia, where there is some consensus that an increased p revalence of obesity is a particular problem. In this paper we provide standard weight for height curves for males and females with achondro plasia, and discuss the use of several indices which have been applied to the assessment of body fat in the general population. (C) 1996 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.