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Dysplasia Diseases

The Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary defines dysplasia as "abnormal growth or development (as of organs or cells)" or the "abnormal anatomic structure due to such growth." Among the several diseases that fall into the category defined by such symptoms or characteristics are a few that are fairly widely seen. These include bronchopulmonary (BPD), cervical, ectodermal, fibrous and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia.

  1. BPD

    • Infants born prematurely or those who suffer from respiratory difficulties shortly after birth are at high risk for this form of dysplasia, according to the KidsHealth website. The root cause of BPD is abnormal development of lung tissue. One of the most widely seen chronic lung diseases in children, BPD is characterized by scarring and inflammation in the lungs. Most infants afflicted with this respiratory disorder eventually outgrow its most serious symptoms, according to KidsHealth. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates that up to 10,000 babies born in the United States develop BPD each year.

    Cervical

    • Considered a precancerous condition, cervical dysplasia is characterized by the appearance of abnormal cells on the surface tissues of the cervix. The presence of such anomalous cells can be detected by a Pap smear. The WomensHealthChannel website says this form of dysplasia usually falls into one of three categories: mild, moderate and severe. By far the most common form is mild dysplasia, which resolves on its own in nearly 70 percent of all cases. However, left untreated, moderate and severe forms of this dysplasia are more likely to develop into cancer.

    Ectodermal

    • This form of dysplasia is marked by abnormal development of the skin and skin derivatives, such as nails, hair, teeth and sweat glands, according to MedlinePlus. Fever control may be difficult in children with this disorder, while maintenance of a normal body temperature may be problematic in affected adults. Other possible symptoms are abnormalities in nails, teeth or hair; inability to cry or sweat; lack of pigment in the skin; poor hearing and vision; and thin hair and skin.

    Fibrous

    • This bone disorder is characterized by the development of fibrous---or scar-like---tissue in the place of normal bone tissue, according to MayoClinic.com. While people with mild cases may be asymptomatic, those who are more seriously affected may experience bone pain, deformity and a high level of susceptibility to fracture.

    Spondyloepiphyseal

    • The full name of this form of dysplasia is spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita. It's a hereditary bone disorder that leads to a number of developmental problems, including dwarfism, difficulties with vision and hearing and skeletal abnormalities. The Genetics Home Reference website reports: "This condition affects the bones of the spine (spondylo-) and the ends (epiphyses) of long bones in the arms and legs."

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