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What treatments are available for achondroplasia and its symptoms?

What treatments are available for achondroplasia and its symptoms?

Achondroplasia Treatment Options

  • Spinal fusion to stabilize the spine.
  • Spinal decompression to free up the compressed spinal cord or nerve roots.
  • Guided-growth surgery and/or osteotomy (cutting bone) to correct uneven growth or abnormal rotation of the bones.
  • Limb-lengthening surgery to add length in the legs or arms.

    Is there a way to prevent achondroplasia?

    Currently, there is no way to prevent achondroplasia, since most cases result from unexpected new mutations. Doctors may treat some children with growth hormone, but this does not significantly affect the height of the child with achondroplasia. In some very specific cases, surgeries to lengthen legs may be considered.

    What are the treatment options for achondroplasia?

    What are the treatment options for achondroplasia? Currently, there is no way to prevent achondroplasia, since most cases result from unexpected new mutations. Doctors may treat some children with growth hormone, but this does not significantly affect the height of the child with achondroplasia.

    What is the cause of achondroplasia in China?

    Research on achondroplasia in China, however, has received little emphasis. Around 80–90% of cases of neonatal achondroplasia result from mutations in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) according to polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP).

    How is somatotropin used to treat achondroplasia?

    The availability of somatotropin (recombinant human growth hormone [GH]) has revolutionized the treatment of short stature. [ 27] GH is currently being used to augment the height of patients with achondroplasia.

    What are the side effects of achondroplasia in children?

    Signs and symptoms of proportionate dwarfism are a slower growth rate for age and delayed or absence of sexual development during expected puberty, children can be obese, bowed legs, develop spinal stenosis, get ear infection frequently and have an abnormal curvature of the spine. There is no treatment to cure achondroplasia.