Dwarfism is a condition where someone grows up to be smaller than average size, with over 200 medical conditions associated with it. Symptoms are broad and can include irregular growth, muscle and joint weakness, and breathing problems. Treatment options include medication, surgery, and accommodations.
Over 200 medical conditions are associated with dwarfism, a condition in which someone grows up to be smaller than average size. Because the causes are so varied, the symptoms of dwarfism are incredibly broad. Dwarfism is usually recognized in early childhood as a result of deviation from intended developmental goals. Depending on the type of dwarfism a patient has, the patient may require special medical treatment to address the complications of dwarfism, and the symptoms of dwarfism can sometimes cause serious complications for the patient.
The defining feature of dwarfism is a short stature. Dwarfism is usually identified when a child fails to develop at the expected rate, being smaller than other children of the same age. Symptoms of dwarfism may include irregular growth in the case of disproportionate dwarfism, where the patient may have an unusually enlarged head, a normal sized torso, or very short limbs. In proportionate dwarfism, which is rarer, the patient grows proportionately but remains small.
Some types of dwarfism are: Jeune syndrome, Seckel syndrome, primordial dwarfism, pituitary dwarfism, pseudoachondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, achondroplasia, and diastrophic dysplasia. Patients may experience complications of dwarfism such as muscle and joint weakness, especially in the hands, along with breathing problems, abnormal development of the spine, enlarged feet and hands, and a bowlegged walk. Facial abnormalities such as crowded teeth and a very pronounced forehead are also seen in some forms of dwarfism. These symptoms of dwarfism do not appear in all patients with this condition and their severity can vary.
When symptoms of dwarfism are identified, a doctor may recommend tests to determine the cause of the dwarfism. Knowing what type of dwarfism a patient has can be important because it can influence the treatment plan for the patient and provide insight into what to expect later in life. In the case of hereditary conditions, genetic counseling may be recommended so that parents have comprehensive information about dwarfism in their family and the ways it can be addressed.
Some forms of dwarfism can be treated with medications, such as growth hormone, although not all people with dwarfism choose to continue treatment. Other types of treatment focus on including quality of life or addressing complications, such as orthodontics to fix crowded teeth or surgery to address damaged joints. People with dwarfism may also benefit from accommodations such as driving locks that allow them to use automobiles.
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