Dwarfism takes place if a person has a short stature.
It usually results in an adult height of four feet, 10 inches or shorter.
For children, this means being below the height growth curve for their age.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The term “midget” is considered to be offensive by many people.
This article will discuss the various kinds of dwarfism.
It will also talk about what causes dwarfism and how a doctor diagnoses it.
But different things can cause dwarfism.
And people with various types of dwarfism have different physical characteristics.
Most of the conditions are genetic or inherited at birth.
They are also noticeable once the baby is born.
There are two main categories of dwarfism:
Dwarfism is a relatively rare condition.
Each of the individual types of dwarfism is even rarer.
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia makes up 70% of all cases of dwarfism.
It affects about one of every 25,000 to 30,000 newborns.
With achondroplasia, there is a problem with the gene that allows the body to changecartilageto bone while growing.
This often affects the long bones.
Typically, hydrocephalus associated with achondroplasia is mild.
Some people with achondroplasia also have apnea orsleep apnea.
This is a medical condition where you stop breathing or your breathing slows down while you’re sleeping.
It can also be triggered by a medical or hormonal condition.
Genetics
The majority of people with dwarfism have gene mutations.
This means they have changes in specific genes.
These mutations interfere with normal development.
They may also affect the growth of the cartilage and bones in the body.
This leads to short stature.
Any genetic change that causes dwarfism can be inherited from parents.
It may also develop during fetal development.
Two short-statured people can have a non-dwarf child.
Average-sized parents can give birth to a child with achondroplasia.
Medical Causes
Some non-genetic types of dwarfism can be sparked by a growth hormone deficiency.
A specialist can usually treat these kinds of dwarfism using growth hormones.
Diagnosis
Doctors can diagnose some types of dwarfism during early pregnancy with genetic testing.
Often, however, dwarfism can’t be diagnosed until after the baby is born.
Treatment
Dwarfism itself is not a disease, so there is no “cure.”
Most people with dwarfism have the same level of intelligence as a person with average height.
They also lead healthy, active lives.
But the conditions that cause dwarfism can cause health complications.
These health complications often involve the spine and lower limbs.
Some medical issues relating to dwarfism are treated with surgery.
Many people who are on the short side of the normal growth spectrum do not have dwarfism.
In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Voxzogo (vosoritide).
Summary
Dwarfism shows up when a person has short stature.
Different things cause dwarfism.
Most forms of dwarfism are genetic or inherited at birth.
More than 300 genetic conditions can cause dwarfism.
It can also be because of a medical or hormonal condition.
Dwarfism is not a disease, so there is no “cure.”
Most people with dwarfism have the same level of intelligence as people of average height.
They can also lead healthy, active lives just like any other person.
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Food and Drug Administration.Voxzogo label.
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