{"id":2004,"date":"2025-02-20T09:45:29","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T09:45:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/achondroplasia.biomarin.com\/en-us\/?page_id=2004"},"modified":"2026-05-07T13:47:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:47:12","slug":"about-achondroplasia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/achondroplasia.biomarin.com\/en-us\/about-achondroplasia\/","title":{"rendered":"About Achondroplasia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Closer Look at Achondroplasia\n<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Explore how achondroplasia occurs, its impact on bone growth and overall health, along with how you can provide care to help support healthy development.<\/p>\n

FIND CARE NEAR YOU<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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WHAT IS ACHONDROPLASIA?<\/h3>\n

Achondroplasia is the most common type of skeletal dysplasia, with about 250,000 people diagnosed worldwide.
\nSkeletal dysplasias are rare genetic conditions that affect bone and cartilage development.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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A rare genetic condition that inhibits bone growth<\/h3>\n

Bone growth<\/h5>\n

Bones play an important role in mobility, daily functioning, and overall health. Most bones begin as cartilage. The process of cartilage developing into bone is known as endochondral bone growth<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Growth plates<\/h5>\n

Located at the ends of bones, growth plates<\/strong> are where endochondral bone growth takes place. They remain open from before birth until late adolescence or early adulthood (around ages 15 to 20 years). Once growth plates close, endochondral bone growth stops.<\/p>\n

Inhibited bone growth<\/h5>\n

In achondroplasia, endochondral bone growth is slowed or inhibited and impacts over 90% of bones in the body<\/strong> during developmental years.<\/p>\n

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The most significant bone growth in the skull, spine, and chest happens during a child\u2019s first 7 years\u2014especially from birth to 2 years old.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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FIND SPECIALIZED CARE NEAR YOU<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Because achondroplasia is rare, it may be difficult to find doctors with the experience you need.\u00a0Feel confident you’re finding specialized care for your child.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t

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Locate healthcare providers in your area who have chosen to be part of the Achondroplasia Doctor Finder. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n <\/br>Search results are not comprehensive and do not reflect any endorsement or certifications from BioMarin. <\/br>
This directory is available for any healthcare provider who chooses to be listed and may not reflect all healthcare professionals in your area.<\/em> <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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There are no clinics available within the distance you specified. You can expand your search area, or search for a different location instead.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Close terms<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t

Terms & Conditions<\/h1>\n