Dwarfism

What is Dwarfism

Dwarfism is a condition of short stature. It is defined by the advocacy group Little People of America (LPA) as an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or under, as a result of a medical or genetic condition. Although other groups may extend the criteria for certain forms of dwarfism to 5 feet, the average height of an adult with dwarfism is 4 feet. 
There are two main categories of dwarfism -- disproportionate and proportionate. Disproportionate dwarfism is characterized by an average-size torso and shorter arms and legs or a shortened trunk with longer limbs. In proportionate dwarfism, the body parts are in proportion but shortened.

What is Symptoms of Dwarfism

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Dwarfism includes the 13 symptoms listed below:

• Poor growth
• Failure to thrive
• Short stature
  
• Short bones
• Short arms
• Short legs
• Normal size skull
• Normal size spine
• Normal intelligence - many types of dwarfism do not affect intelligence
• Subnormal intelligence - some types do affect mental ability
• Normal sexual organs
• Short feet

What is Causes of Dwarfism

Dwarfism can be caused by any of more than 200 conditions. Causes of proportionate dwarfism include metabolic and hormonal disorders such as growth hormone deficiency.

The most common types of dwarfism, known as skeletal dysplasias, are genetic. Skeletal dysplasias are conditions of abnormal bone growth that cause disproportionate dwarfism.  

They include:

Achondroplasia. The most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia occurs in about one out of 26,000 to 40,000 babies and is evident at birth. People with achondroplasia have a relatively long trunk and shortened upper parts of their arms and legs. Other features of achondroplasia include:

• a large head with a prominent forehead
• a flattened bridge of the nose
• protruding jaw
• crowded and misaligned teeth
• forward curvature of the lower spine
• bowed legs
• flat, short, broad feet
• "double-jointedness"