Achondroplasia There are many conditions and diseases that can cause short stature, dwarfism. Some of these conditions involve a bone disorder -- the bones do not grow and develop normally. These conditions are called skeletal dysplasias or chondrodystrophies. People with these conditions of short stature often refer to themselves as dwarfs, little people, or short-statured persons. More than 100 skeletal dysplasias have been discovered. Of these, achondroplasia is the most common. It occurs in all races and with equal frequency in males and females, but is a rare disease. An individual with achondroplasia has