Achondroplasia

Achondroplasia is a disorder of bone growth. Achondroplasia literally means "without cartilage formation". The problem in this condition is converting the cartilage into bones, particularly the long bones. Achondroplasia is a genetic (inherited) condition that results in abnormally short stature. All persons with achondroplasia are little people. The average height of an adult with achondroplasia is 131 cm (52 inches, or 4 foot 4) in males and 124 cm (49 inches, or 4 foot 1) in females.