This condition is almost always lethal in the first year of life. My spouse and I do not have short stature. We have a child with achondroplasia. We have a child who is of average height. Women with achondroplasia who become pregnant should have very carefully observed prenatal care by an obstetrician.
Prenatal diagnosis is often possible.
Delivery is always accomplished by cesarean section. At present there is no specific treatment to promote growth in achondroplasia. Growth-hormone treatment seems to increase the rate of growth during the first year of treatment, but may not increase adult height. Surgery to lengthen the legs and arms of people with achondroplasia is being done on an experimental basis in a few centers in the US, but it is not a common practice because complications are frequent and the process is long and arduous. Current therapy is directed toward preventing or treating complications of achondroplasia.