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Achondroplasia and Gross Motor Skill Development

achondroplasiaThe Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health published research on the gross motor skill development of children with achondroplasia.  A population based study was done on children with achondroplasia ages 12 months to 48 months in Australia and New Zealand from 2000 through 2009.

The results indicated that children with achondroplasia exhibit delays in gross motor skill acquisition although within group differences in height, weight and head circumference (or relationships between these factors) do not appear to influence gross motor skill development before 5 years of age. The only exception was supine to sit transitioning, which appears likely to occur earlier if the child is taller and heavier at 12 months, and later if the child has significant head-to-body disproportion.

Reference: Penelope Jane Ireland, Robert S Ware, Samantha Donaghey, James McGill, Andreas Zankl, Verity Pacey, Jenny Ault, Ravi Savarirayan, David Sillence, Elizabeth Thompson, Sharron Townshend and Leanne M Johnston The effect of height, weight and head circumference on gross motor development in achondroplasia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. Article first published online: 22 JAN 2013 | DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12078

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