Dwarfism - Types, Causes, Diagnosis

Some people are abnormally short due to some genetic or medical reasons. Dwarfism is a condition that causes a person to be much shorter than an average-sized man or woman. It is also called short stature and a normal variation with the development of normal bone.

Table of Contents:

What-is-Dwarfism
Types of Dwarfism?
Causes of Dwarfism
Diagnosis of Dwarfism
Complications associated with Dwarfism
Practice Problems On Dwarfism
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dwarfism?

Dwarfism is a medical condition that occurs when a person is unusually short than a normal human height. Dwarfism is not a disease or deficiency. An average height of an adult with dwarfism is approximately 4 feet; however, dwarfism is applied to an adult of 4’10” or shorter.

Types of Dwarfism?

There are several medical conditions that cause dwarfism. Generally, there are two major categories:

Proportionate dwarfism: The body size is proportionately small to all parts of the body. The head, trunk, and limbs are all proportionate to each other. The body is small and equal to that of average stature. This medical condition is present at birth or found in early childhood.
Disproportionate dwarfism: The body size is disproportionate to other parts of the body. Some are oversized, and some are under-size. This disorder is caused due to the inappropriate development of bones.

Causes of Dwarfism

Numerous medical conditions cause dwarfism. Some of the most common conditions include:

Achondroplasia: It is a common genetic condition for those with two average-sized parents.
Turner syndrome: This dwarfism condition is affected only in females. Instead of inheriting both fully functioning X chromosomes from the parents, only one X chromosome is inherited, and the second one is missing.
Growth hormone deficiency: It is one of the growth hormone deficiencies.
Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid can lead to many health problems, including limited growth.
Intrauterine growth retardation: This condition occurs when the baby is in the mother’s womb. The baby is smaller than the average growth. This condition results in proportional dwarfism.

Diagnosis of Dwarfism

The appearance of a newborn can diagnose dwarfism. Baby wellness exams can also identify it, and consistent lowest quartiles measurement on the standard growth chart can also help in diagnosing dwarfism.

Also, prenatal diagnosis can be done by ultrasound while the baby is in the womb. If the baby carries a gene of their parent’s dwarfism, then the doctor may recommend amniocentesis. Genetic testing is also helpful in diagnosing dwarfism. A blood test helps to check for growth hormone levels and can confirm dwarfism caused by hormone deficiency.

Complications associated with Dwarfism

Dwarfism can lead to health complications such as:

Arthritis
Hunch back
Narrowed spinal cord
Excess brain fluid
Sleep apnea
Weight gain
spinal pressure at the base of the skull

Practice Problems On Dwarfism

Q1. Which conditions occur when the baby is in the mother’s womb?

A. Turner syndrome
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Intrauterine growth retardation
D. None of the above

Answer : C. Intrauterine growth retardation

Intrauterine growth retardation is a condition that occurs when the baby is in the mother’s womb.

Q2. Which of the following leads to proportional dwarfism?

A. Turner syndrome
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Intrauterine growth retardation
D. None of the above

Answer : C. Intrauterine growth retardation

Intrauterine growth retardation is a condition that occurs when the baby is in the mother’s womb. The baby is smaller than the average growth. This condition results in proportional dwarfism.

Q3. Which of the following refers to the condition in which the body size is disproportionate to other parts of the body?

A. Achondroplasia
B. Disproportionate dwarfism
C. Proportionate dwarfism
D. None of the above

Answer : D. Disproportionate dwarfism

The body size is disproportionate to other parts of the body. Some are oversized, and some are under-size. This disorder is caused due to the inappropriate development of bones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is meant by arthritis?
Answer : Arthritis is a condition where one or more joints become swollen and tender, with its main symptoms being pain and swelling in those joints. It occurs between the ages of 40 to 50.

Q2. What are the treatment options for dwarfism?
Answer : Dwarfism can be treated by physical or hormone therapy. Now, the latest and most advanced surgical operations are available to treat dwarfism.

Q3. Is Dwarfism a serious medical condition?
Answer : No, dwarfism is not a serious medical condition to treat; however, it can lead to other health problems, such as weight gain, arthritis, etc.