From the Guidelines
Short stature by itself does not increase the risk of having offspring with genetic anomalies, but certain genetic conditions associated with short stature can have inheritance patterns that might affect offspring. Height is a complex trait influenced by many genetic and environmental factors, and being short is typically just a normal variation in human height [ 1 ]. While certain genetic conditions that cause short stature (like achondroplasia or Turner syndrome) can have inheritance patterns that might affect offspring, most short people have typical genetic profiles.
Key Considerations
- The risk of having children with genetic abnormalities depends primarily on specific genetic mutations or chromosomal issues carried by the parents, family history of genetic disorders, advanced parental age (particularly maternal age over 35), and exposure to certain environmental factors during pregnancy [ 1 ].
- Preconception genetic counseling is recommended for individuals and/or partners who have skeletal dysplasia or are at increased chance of having a fetus with skeletal dysplasia [ 1 ].
- Genetic counseling can provide personalized risk assessment based on your specific medical and family history, regardless of your height [ 1 ].
Recommendations for Individuals with Short Stature
- If you have concerns about genetic risks in pregnancy, consider genetic counseling to discuss your individual risk factors and family history [ 1 ].
- Accurate diagnostic consideration of the skeletal dysplasia condition, family history, and pregnancy history are essential for assessing the risk of transmitting genetic anomalies to offspring [ 1 ].
From the Research
Genetic Anomalies in Offspring of Short-Statured Individuals
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that individuals of short stature are more prone to having offspring with genetic anomalies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies have focused on the prediction of adult height and the factors that influence it, such as mid-parental height, genetic risk scores, and environmental factors 2, 3, 5, 6.
- Research has also explored the use of non-invasive prenatal testing for detecting genetic anomalies, such as trisomy 13,18, and 21, but does not specifically address the relationship between parental height and offspring genetic anomalies 4.
- The available evidence suggests that genetic factors play a significant role in determining adult height, but does not provide a clear link between short stature and an increased risk of genetic anomalies in offspring 2, 3, 6.
Environmental and Genetic Influences on Height
- Environmental factors, such as childhood environment and parental education, have been shown to influence adult height, but their relationship to genetic anomalies is not well understood 5, 6.
- Genetic risk scores and mid-parental height have been used to predict adult height, but their ability to predict genetic anomalies is limited 2, 3.
- The interplay between genetic and environmental factors in determining adult height is complex, and further research is needed to fully understand their relationship to genetic anomalies 5, 6.