Hypochondroplasia kid: Sinking

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 7, 2010

Sinking

So both of my boys have been in Swimming Leasons for 6 months. Carter loves the water, he should have been a fish. Coleman does not like the water. He prefers to lay out in the sun as the opposed to the pool. But it is January at the indoor swim school and Coleman is doing better. He kicks and moves his tiny little arms as fast as he can. I'm so proud of him, he is swimming half the pool. The only problem is he can not lift his head to catch a breath. He tries but can not seem to lift it above the water. I find myself straining my neck to breath for him. I can not help but smile at his wide eyes when his teacher helps him up. He improves every week, and it is so good for his muscles and confidence. I love The Swim School and all they do. Maybe one week instead of sinking he swim...