Which congenital condition is characterized by abnormal skeletal development that results in shorter limbs?

Dwarfism refers to a condition characterized by shorter stature and is commonly due to genetic factors affecting skeletal growth. While dwarfism encompasses a variety of conditions that lead to reduced height, one of the most recognized forms is achondroplasia, which specifically involves abnormal growth of bones leading to disproportionate shortening of the limbs compared to the torso.

Osteogenesis imperfecta, on the other hand, primarily affects bone density and strength, leading to frequent fractures rather than primarily shorter limbs. Skeletal dysplasia is a broader term that describes various abnormalities in bone and cartilage growth, and while it can lead to dwarfism, it is not itself a diagnosis for all cases of shorter limbs. Achondroplasia, specifically, is a genetic condition that results in a type of dwarfism characterized by shorter limbs, which means that while it is a valid condition associated with shorter stature, it falls under the umbrella of dwarfism.

Thus, the choice of dwarfism is accurate in the context of congenital conditions that lead to shorter limbs, as it encapsulates the broader range of conditions, including those like achondroplasia that specifically cause this abnormal skeletal development.