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Self-identified Poll taken February 7-14, 2002 These figures represent the distribution of adult height as reported from 121 responses provided by members of the XLH Network community. Females are represented in the top pair of figures by pink columns, while males are represented below by blue columns. In each figure, data are reported first in metric values (centimeters) and secondly in inches. The columns represent the proportion of the responses in any given block (2.5 cm or 1 inch). Of the total responses, 90 were female, and 31 were male. These numbers seem slightly at odds with the expected gender ratio in people with XLH. That is, because males with XLH cannot transmit the condition to their sons, the overall gender ratio of XLH might be expected to be nearer to two-thirds female and one-third male. The apparent discrepancy between the metric figure and that below it in inches occurs seemingly because of rounding to the nearest centimeter after arithmetic conversion (1 inch = 2.54 cm); most of the data provided were reported in feet and inches. Without making too strong a case for accuracy (though the reported height data do seem to fit in a normal, Poisson distribution), it would seem that a rough rule of thumb for average adult height in our community is 5 feet 0 inches (152 cm) for females, while that for males is 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). Probably about one third of female respondents would be eligible by height to register with the Little People of America, while less than 5% of males would be eligible. We recognize that this data cannot be pushed too far, in terms of analysis, but in particular a consideration of the relative height of various cohorts of respondents is possible: 18-25 years; 25-40 years; over 40 years. While the size of the sample is small, it may be instructive that younger adults in our respondent pool have not reported the profoundly short stature which is a significant factor in older cohorts.
Last modified Aug 8, 2007 XLH is also known as X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (sometimes also spelled as hypophosphataemia), X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets, Familial Hypophosphatemia, Vitamin D-Resistant Rickets (VDRR) Rickets and even Genetic Rickets. Its notable characteristics are bowed legs, short stature, poor teeth formation causing spotaneous dental abscesses, and low blood phosphorus levels.
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