Dwarfism is short stature resulting from a particular medical condition. It is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches (147 cm), although this definition is problematic because short stature in itself is not a disorder.
Dwarfism can be caused by about 200 distinct medical conditions.
''Disproportionate'' dwarfism is characterized by one or more body parts' being relatively large or small in comparison to those of a normal adult, with growth abnormalities in specific areas being apparent.
In cases of ''proportionate'' dwarfism, the body appears normally proportioned, but is abnormally small.
Historically, the term midget was used to describe "proportionate dwarfs"; however, this term has now become offensive and pejorative.
Hypotonia, or a lack of muscle, is common in dwarfs, but intelligence and lifespan are usually normal.
Achondroplasia is a bone-growth disorder responsible for 70% of dwarfism cases.
There is no single treatment for dwarfism. Individual abnormalities, such as bone-growth disorders, sometimes can be treated through surgery, and some hormone disorders can be treated through medication, but usually it is impossible to treat all the symptoms of dwarfism.
Lifestyle changes often are needed to cope with the effects of dwarfism. Such devices as specialized furniture often help people with dwarfism to function normally.
Many support groups help individuals with dwarfism cope with the challenges they face and with developing and maintaining their independence.
Dwarfism is a highly visible condition and often carries negative connotations in society. Because of their unusual height, people with dwarfism are often used as spectacles in entertainment and portrayed with stereotypes.
For a person with dwarfism, heightism can lead to ridicule in childhood and discrimination in adulthood.
Short stature can be inherited without any coexisting disease. Short stature in the absence of any abnormal medical condition is not generally considered dwarfism. For example, a short man and a short woman who are in normal health will tend to produce children who are also short and in normal health.
While short parents tend to produce short children, persons with dwarfism may produce children of normal height, if the cause of their dwarfism is not genetically transmissible or if the individual does not pass on the genetic mutation.
Many types of dwarfism are impossible to prevent because they are genetically caused. Genetic conditions that cause dwarfism may be identified with genetic testing, by screening for the specific abnormalities that result in the condition. However, due to the number of causes of dwarfism, it may be impossible to determine definitively if a child will be born with dwarfism.
Dwarfism resulting from malnutrition or a hormonal abnormality may be treated with an appropriate diet or hormonal therapy. Growth hormone deficiency may be remedied via injections of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) during early life.
Genetic defects of most forms of dwarfism caused by bone dysplasia cannot be corrected, so therapeutic interventions are typically aimed at preventing or reducing pain or physical disability, increasing adult height, or mitigating psychosocial stresses and enhancing social adaptation.
Further Reading
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