ANTHROPOMETRY IN SKELETAL DYSPLASIA

Skeletal dysplasia or osteochondrodysplasia is the designation of more than 200 different disorders, that are characterized by abnormalities of the skeleton, disproportional short stature, and a variety of othe r problems. The underlying biochemical defect is unknown in the vast m ajority of skeletal dysplasias, and the diagnosis is based on radiolog ical findings and anthropometric measurements. Despite this fact, the information on body proportions in even the more common forms of skele tal dysplasia is scarce. Patients with achondroplasia are often diagno sed shortly after birth. Linear growth is severely compromised with re latively short extremities. Head circumference is above normal and fin al height ranges from 115 to 145 cm in males and 112 to 137 cm in fema les. Individuals with hypochondroplasia may go unnoticed until puberty , at which time the growth problem becomes obvious. Sitting height to height ratio is increased, but the body disproportion may not be appar ent until puberty. Final height has been reported between 118 and 165 cm. Spondyloepiphyseal and spondylometaepiphyseal dysplasias are chara cterized by severe impairment growth both in trunk and extremities, th erefore the sitting height to height ratio may be normal. Final height is severely reduced and ranges from 94 to 132 cm. It is concluded tha t anthropometric studies of patients with skeletal dysplasia are neede d. More quantitative information on body proportions may assist in the diagnostic procedure and ensure that growth promoting therapy, e.g. g rowth hormone, does not worsen the disproportion.