Diastrophic dysplasia
Diastrophic dysplasia is an autosomal recessive inherited disease that causes limb shortening, spinal deformities such as scoliosis and lordosis. Patients frequently present with joint contractures and early onset osteoarthritis.
Its overall prevalence is estimated at 1 case per 100,000 individuals. Although it is present in almost all populations, it is more prevalent in the Finnish population where most cases have been identified.
Symptoms
Newborns with this pathology present bilateral clubfoot, short limbs, wrist deformity, adducted thumbs, cleft palate and hypoplastic jaws. In the first months of life, cysts appear in the external ear. Growth is slow, scoliosis is frequent and develops progressively. Joint deformities are severe and may lead to limitation of joint movement or hyperlaxity.
The expression of the disease is variable, with very severe and moderate forms, which may be diagnosed very late.
Prevention
Available treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Cervical spine surgery may be used in those individuals with evidence of spinal cord impingement and for clubfoot correction. Physical therapy is used to prevent early joint contractures.
Genes analyzed
