Hypochondroplasia kid: Little pieces of heaven

What is hypochondroplasia?

Hypochondroplasia is a form of short-limbed dwarfism. This condition affects the conversion of cartilage into bone (a process called ossification), particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs. Hypochondroplasia is similar to another skeletal disorder called achondroplasia, but the features tend to be milder.

All people with hypochondroplasia have short stature. The adult height for men with this condition ranges from 138 centimeters to 165 centimeters (4 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 5 inches). The height range for adult women is 128 centimeters to 151 centimeters (4 feet, 2 inches to 4 feet, 11 inches).

People with hypochondroplasia have short arms and legs and broad, short hands and feet. Other characteristic features include a large head, limited range of motion at the elbows, a sway of the lower back (lordosis), and bowed legs. These signs are generally less pronounced than those seen with achondroplasia and may not be noticeable until early or middle childhood. Some studies have reported that a small percentage of people with hypochondroplasia have mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, but other studies have produced conflicting results.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Little pieces of heaven

I believe that life is tough but we choose how to live our lives. Happiness is a choce we make. God gives us people in our lives to help us get through the tough days. Dr. Chen has been one of the blessings in this whole process. He diagnosed Coleman with hypochondroplasia when evryone else made me feel like I was crazy.He not only diagnosed/ followed up and gave me more information every visit. He referd CoCo to specialist and new medications. Thank you God for Dr. Chen. Colemans teachers, Robin this APE theripist, Elaine Duke, The swim school, my mom, Granny, and more people than I have room on this page support me everyday to make things easier on us. Thank you for your love.