children s health issues
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita
Introduction
Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita refers to a group of rare disorders that develop in the womb and cause many joints to become "frozen" in position. Birth defects, also called congenital anomalies, are physical abnormalities that occur before a baby is born. "Congenital" means "present at birth." (See also Introduction to Birth Defects of the Face, Bones, Joints, and Muscles .) Arthrogryposis is a condition in which joints become permanently fixed or "frozen" in position. Frozen joints may be present in more than 300 different disorders, and more than 35 specific genetic disorders (such as Spinal Muscular Atrophies (SMAs) and 