Although many people are familiar with ‘dwarfism’, it is not as common for people to understand what exactly the condition is. First of all it is important to emphasise that ‘dwarfism’ or shortness of stature is not a disease, it is a symptom of one of almost two hundred conditions which exhibits itself through distorted or disproportionate growth in the limbs, skull, hands or feet. It is not a condition that can be ‘cured’, but many of the effects may be treated or minimised.
There are three broad classifications of dwarfism – Rhizomelic (root) dwarfism, which effects the bones in the upper arms or thighs; Mesomelic (middle) dwarfism, which effects the bones in the forearms or lower legs, and Acromelic (end) dwarfism, which exhibits itself in the bones of the hands or feet. The most common type of dwarfism is Achondroplasia, which may include rhizomelic short limbs, the distortion of the skull, and curvature of the spine. Achondroplasia makes up around 70% of dwarfism cases.
Although research continues in the field, there are several known causes of dwarfism, including genetic inheritance. It is important to note however that many cases of dwarfism occur in children who have two parents of an average height – that is, little people who have children will not necessarily pass on their height, just as taller people may parent children who exhibit signs of dwarfism.
There are three broad classifications of dwarfism – Rhizomelic (root) dwarfism, which effects the bones in the upper arms or thighs; Mesomelic (middle) dwarfism, which effects the bones in the forearms or lower legs, and Acromelic (end) dwarfism, which exhibits itself in the bones of the hands or feet. The most common type of dwarfism is Achondroplasia, which may include rhizomelic short limbs, the distortion of the skull, and curvature of the spine. Achondroplasia makes up around 70% of dwarfism cases.
Although research continues in the field, there are several known causes of dwarfism, including genetic inheritance. It is important to note however that many cases of dwarfism occur in children who have two parents of an average height – that is, little people who have children will not necessarily pass on their height, just as taller people may parent children who exhibit signs of dwarfism.