Dwarfism
| Dwarfism | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| A man with dwarfism | |
| Pronunciation | UK: /ˈdwɔːfɪzəm/; US: /ˈdwɔːrfɪzəm/ |
| Classification and external resources | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology, medical genetics |
| ICD-10 | E23.0, E34.2, E45.0, Q77.4 |
| ICD-9-CM | 253.3, 259.4 |
| DiseasesDB | 80 |
| MedlinePlus | 001176 |
| MeSH | D004392 |
Dwarfism occurs when an organism is short in stature from a medical condition that caused slow growth. In humans, dwarfism is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches (58 in; 147 cm). Dwarfism can be caused by more than 300 medical conditions, such that the symptoms of individuals with dwarfism vary greatly. Disproportionate dwarfism is characterized by one or more body parts being relatively large or small in comparison to those of an average-sized adult, with growth variations in specific areas. In cases of proportionate dwarfism, the body appears normally proportioned, but is unusually small. Low muscle tone is common, but intelligence and lifespan are usually normal.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Those with bone growth disorders can sometimes be treated with surgery. Some hormone disorders can be treated with hormone replacement therapy before the child's growth plates fuse. Individual accommodations, such as specialized furniture, are often used by people with dwarfism. Many support groups provide services to aid individuals and the discrimination they may face.
In addition to the medical aspect of the condition, there are also social aspects. For a person with dwarfism, height discrimination can lead to ridicule in childhood and discrimination in adulthood. In the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, some people with dwarfism prefer to be called "little people". Historically, the term "midget" was used to describe "proportionate dwarfs"; however, this term is now regarded as offensive by some.
A typical defining characteristic of dwarfism is an adult height of less than 147 cm (4 ft 10 in). Since those with dwarfism have such a wide range of physical characteristics, variations in individuals are identified by diagnosing and monitoring the underlying disorders.
Short stature can be inherited without any coexisting disease. Short stature in the absence of a medical condition is not generally considered dwarfism. For example, a short man and a short woman with average health will tend to produce children who are also short and with average health. While short parents tend to produce short children, persons with dwarfism may produce children of average height, if the cause of their dwarfism is not genetically transmissible or if the individual does not pass on the genetic variation.
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