Atlas of Genetic Diagnosis and Counseling

Abstract

Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism. Gene frequency is estimated to be 1/16,000 and 1/35,000. There are about 5000 achondroplasts in the USA and 65,000 on Earth. The incidence for achondroplasia is between 0.5 and 1.5 in 10,000 births. The mutation rate is high and is estimated to be between 1.72 and 5.57 × 10−5 per gamete per generation. Most infants with achondroplasia are born unexpectedly to parents of average stature.