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Reviewed February 2008
What is diastrophic dysplasia?
Diastrophic dysplasia is a disorder of cartilage and bone development. Affected individuals have short stature with very short arms and legs. Most also have early-onset joint pain (osteoarthritis) and joint deformities called contractures, which restrict movement. These joint problems often make it difficult to walk and tend to worsen with age. Additional features of diastrophic dysplasia include an inward- and upward-turning foot (clubfoot), progressive abnormal curvature of the spine, and unusually positioned thumbs (hitchhiker thumbs). About half of infants with diastrophic dysplasia are born with an opening in the roof of the mouth (a cleft palate). Swelling of the external ears is also common in newborns and can lead to thickened, deformed ears.
The signs and symptoms of diastrophic dysplasia are similar to those of another skeletal disorder called atelosteogenesis type 2; however, diastrophic dysplasia tends to be less severe. Although some affected infants have breathing problems, most people with diastrophic dysplasia live into adulthood.
Read more about atelosteogenesis type 2.
How common is diastrophic dysplasia?
Although the exact incidence of this condition is unknown, researchers estimate that it affects about 1 in 100,000 newborns. Diastrophic dysplasia occurs in all populations but appears to be particularly common in Finland.
What genes are related to diastrophic dysplasia?
Diastrophic dysplasia is one of several skeletal disorders caused by mutations in the SLC26A2 gene. This gene provides instructions for making a protein that is essential for the normal development of cartilage and for its conversion to bone. Cartilage is a tough, flexible tissue that makes up much of the skeleton during early development. Most cartilage is later converted to bone, except for the cartilage that continues to cover and protect the ends of bones and is present in the nose and external ears. Mutations in theSLC26A2 gene alter the structure of developing cartilage, preventing bones from forming properly and resulting in the skeletal problems characteristic of diastrophic dysplasia.
Read more about the SLC26A2 gene.
How do people inherit diastrophic dysplasia?
This condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
Where can I find information about diagnosis, management, or treatment of diastrophic dysplasia?
These resources address the diagnosis or management of diastrophic dysplasia and may include treatment providers.
You might also find information on the diagnosis or management of diastrophic dysplasia in Educational resources and Patient support.
To locate a healthcare provider, see How can I find a genetics professional in my area? in the Handbook.
Where can I find additional information about diastrophic dysplasia?
You may find the following resources about diastrophic dysplasia helpful. These materials are written for the general public.
- MedlinePlus - Health information (2 links)
- Additional NIH Resources - National Institutes of Health (2 links)
- Educational resources - Information pages (4 links)
- Patient support - For patients and families (7 links)
You may also be interested in these resources, which are designed for healthcare professionals and researchers.
- Gene
Reviews - Clinical summary - Gene
Tests - DNA tests ordered by healthcare professionals PubMed - Recent literature- Online Books - Medical and science texts
OMIM - Genetic disorder catalog
What other names do people use for diastrophic dysplasia?
- Diastrophic dwarfism
- DTD
For more information about naming genetic conditions, see the Genetics Home Reference Condition Naming Guidelines and How are genetic conditions and genes named? in the Handbook.
What if I still have specific questions about diastrophic dysplasia?
Where can I find general information about genetic conditions?
The Handbook provides basic information about genetics in clear language.
- What does it mean if a disorder seems to run in my family?
- What are the different ways in which a genetic condition can be inherited?
- If a genetic disorder runs in my family, what are the chances that my children will have the condition?
- Why are some genetic conditions more common in particular ethnic groups?
These links provide additional genetics resources that may be useful.
What glossary definitions help with understanding diastrophic dysplasia?
autosomal ; autosomal recessive ; cartilage ; cell ; cleft palate ; clubfoot ; contracture ; dwarfism ;dysplasia ; gene ; incidence ; joint ; lordosis ; micromelia ; mutation ; palate ; population ; protein ;recessive ; scoliosis ; short stature ; sign ; stature ; symptom ; tissue
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