Dwarfism (Short Stature)

Dwarfism (short stature) isn’t a health condition, and it can affect healthy people, but it can also occur due to a health condition.

Dwarfism (short stature)

Dwarfism (short stature) is when the height of an adult person is under 147 cm (4 feet). It has two main forms:

• Disproportionate dwarfism (short stature): in this case, some parts of the body are smaller than the others.
• Proportionate dwarfism (short stature): in this case, all the body parts are small to the same degree.

Causes of dwarfism (short stature)

• Genetic conditions, such as achondroplasia, which is the most common cause, Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and hypochondroplasia.
• Endocrine issues that affect the hormones that are related to growth, such as growth hormone deficiency.
• Bone diseases like skeletal dysplasia.
• Systemic disorders, such as chronic kidney disease, cancers, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
• Nutrition-related conditions, such as Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease.
• Familial dwarfism.
• Idiopathic short stature.

Symptoms of dwarfism (short stature)

• The main symptom of dwarfism (short stature) is having a very short height compared to the age.
• Differences in the size of the head, the curves of the spine, the length of the arms, hands, legs, or feet, and the shape of certain features of the face.
• Dwarfism (short stature) can lead to spine problems (that cause leg tingling, pain, numbness, or paralysis), developmental delays or intellectual disabilities, sleep issues like obstructive sleep apnea, and other issues, depending on the case.

Diagnosis of dwarfism (short stature)

• Physical exam.
• Imaging tests.
• Lab tests.

Treatment of dwarfism (short stature)

Treating dwarfism (short stature) depends on the cause, and treatments include:

• Medicines.
• Orthotic devices.
• Bone-lengthening procedures.
• A surgery to repair the effects of short stature.