Clinical and Radiologic Evaluation of an Individual with Hypochondroplasia and a Novel FGFR3 Mutation

Hypochondroplasia (HCH), a skeletal dysplasia caused by mutations in the fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 ( FGFR3 ) gene, is characterized by disproportionate short stature. The p.Asn540Lys (p.N540K) mutation accounts for ∼50 to 70% of cases of HCH, but novel FGFR3 mutations are described. We present a family with disproportionately short stature and mild radiologic findings seen in a major public pediatric hospital in Argentina. A previously undescribed heterozygous missense variant in FGFR3, NM_000142.4:667C > T; p.(Arg223Cys) was identified. The predicted phenotype correlates well with the mild auxologic and radiologic characteristics observed. In this case, disproportionately short stature raised the suspicion of skeletal dysplasia.