Alriyadh
The Dwarfism Forum was held and included scientific discussions about achondroplasia in children, highlighting its impact on society, while also providing information on its causes and the latest available treatment options. The forum brought together a distinguished group of consultants in genetics and endocrinology, as well as specialists in the management of skeletal disorders.
The campaign aimed to enhance medical awareness of achondroplasia, highlight the latest medical developments and available treatment options, and discuss their role in improving growth outcomes in children and reducing complications associated with the condition. This can contribute to improving their quality of life and supporting their active integration into society.
In-depth scientific sessions were also held, during which participants discussed the latest clinical updates, scientific criteria for the use of advanced treatments, modern protocols for early diagnosis and structured medical intervention, and comprehensive multidisciplinary approaches to patient care.
Dr. Maha Faden Consultant of medical genetics and Inherited Skeletal Dysplasia at King Saud Medical City reviewed the latest medical and research updates in managing rare bone dwarfism diseases, emphasizing the importance of community awareness regarding early screening to improve the quality of life for affected individuals
Faden noted that recent efforts in modern biological treatments for achondroplasia work to stimulate long bone growth in children with dwarfism. She pointed out that the mechanism of action of these treatments involves inhibiting the cellular signaling pathway responsible for slowing down and naturally preventing cartilage growth, which helps limbs grow better and improves the patient’s skeletal structure.
Dr. Maha Faden—who contributed to the establishment and development of the Medical Genetics Unit at King Saud Medical City—called for the urgent need to spread early health awareness regarding rare genetic diseases in the community, stressing the importance of encouraging families to take advantage of advanced genetic testing and modern technologies due to their pivotal role in achieving rapid and accurate diagnosis, and initiating medical interventions in record time to ensure maximum treatment efficacy.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdulhadi Habib Consultant of Pediatric Endocrinology at Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Madinah stressed the extreme importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive psychological support, providing families with an ideal opportunity for psychological preparation and sound treatment planning before welcoming the newborn.
The consultant noted that the historical leap in therapeutic research for this condition herald’s successes not only in increasing height, but also extends to treating and alleviating complications and congenital malformations associated with the condition, most notably spinal curvature and spinal stenosis, which grants patients better mobility and protects them from chronic pain.
Dr. Abdulhadi Habib stressed the need to focus on the psychological and social axis, explaining that individuals with dwarfism face societal challenges and difficulties represented by bullying in schools or work environments. He called for intensifying psychological counseling and moral support efforts for both families and affected individuals to enhance their ability to cope, build self-confidence, and fully and effectively integrate into society.
On her part, Dr. Afaf Al-Sagheer, a Consultant in Pediatric Endocrinology and Pediatrics, and diabetes at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, explained that the concept of “dwarfism” does not refer to a single specific condition, but rather is a clinical description for cases of severe short stature, pointing out that its medical causes are very broad and exceed 400 different conditions.
The pediatric consultant reviewed the most prominent medical challenges and complications associated with cartilage-based dwarfism, warning that some of them can be life-threatening. Among the most dangerous is foramen magnum stenosis at the base of the skull, which can compress the brainstem during infancy. Meanwhile, respiratory and motor disorders—including obstructive sleep apnea, delayed motor skills, and obesity—rank as prominent challenges, alongside bone and hearing issues such as recurrent ear infections, hearing loss, spinal curvature, and bowed legs, in addition to spinal stenosis in adulthood.
The consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh called for diagnosing the condition early, either during pregnancy through ultrasounds and genetic testing, or immediately after birth. She emphasized that early intervention changes a child’s life trajectory for three core reasons: early prevention allows for organized monitoring and guides parents on proper holding and sitting methods for the child to prevent back hunching, alongside monitoring hearing and nutrition.
Dr. Afaf confirmed that the treatment system for dwarfism cases is witnessing a true historical shift. She noted that after decades where the role of medicine was limited to surgically treating complications, this system is currently witnessing a transition toward treating the root cause, as modern therapeutics directly target the excessive signaling originating from the “FGFR3” gene receptor.
The physicians also emphasized that the availability of such advanced treatments represents a significant step forward for the healthcare sector in the Kingdom. They stressed the importance of collaboration among healthcare organizations, the media, and families to raise health awareness and support patients and their families with reliable and evidence-based information.
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