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Condition

Pediatric Skeletal Dysplasias

What is skeletal dysplasia?

Skeletal dysplasia describes a category of rare genetic disorders that affect bones and joints and hinder children’s growth and development. The disorder causes abnormally shaped bones, especially in the head, spine and long bones of the arms and legs. Children with skeletal dysplasia often have limbs that are too short compared with the rest of the body.

If untreated, skeletal dysplasia can lead to:

  • Difficulty breathing, including apnea (breathing stops for 20 seconds or more)
  • Spinal problems including curving, bowing, or narrowing (stenosis) of the spine
  • Fluid buildup around the brain
  • Obesity
  • Chronic ear infections 

Appointments

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes skeletal dysplasia?

Types of skeletal dysplasia

Symptoms of skeletal dysplasia

How is skeletal dysplasia diagnosed?

Treatments for skeletal dysplasia

Additional resources

Providers Who Treat Skeletal Dysplasias

    Departments that Treat Skeletal Dysplasias

    Boy smiling with nurse in the background

    Cancer Genetics Program

    Our cancer genetics experts help answer important questions about your child's inherited risk for cancer.

    Teenage boy dribbling a basketball while Physical Therapist observes

    Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

    From sprains and strains to complex congenital conditions, Children's National Hospital offers one of the most experienced pediatric orthopaedic practices in the nation, with experience in treating all areas from head to toe.

    Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic

    For more than 25 years, the Skeletal Dysplasia Clinic has provided multidisciplinary care for infants, children, and young adults with various forms of skeletal disorders.