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Restricted growth, sometimes known as dwarfism, is a condition characterised by unusually short height. There are 2 main types of restricted growth: proportionate short stature (PSS) – a general lack of growth in the body, arms and legs; disproportionate short stature (DSS) – where the arms and legs are particularly short
Dwarfism is a condition of people and animals marked by unusually small size or short stature. [1] In humans, it is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 147 centimetres (4 ft 10 in), regardless of sex; the average adult height among people with dwarfism is 120 centimetres (4 ft).
- Overview
- Causes
- Types
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Complications
A person with short stature, or restricted growth, does not grow as tall as other people of the same gender, age, and ethnicity. The person’s height is below the 3rd percentile.
Short stature can be a variant of normal growth, or it may indicate a disorder or condition.
Growth rate is an important indicator of overall health. Children who do not reach the 5th percentile by the age of 5 years are said to be small for gestational age (SGA). A pediatrician will look out for signs of “failure to thrive.”
Early intervention can prevent future problems in many cases.
Normally, at 8 years of age, a child’s arm span is around the same as their height. If these measurements are out of proportion, this may be a sign of disproportionate short stature (DSS), sometimes known as “dwarfism.”
•Short stature can happen for a wide range of reasons, including having small parents, malnutrition, and genetic conditions such as achondroplasia.
Growth depends on a complex range of factors, including genetic makeup, nutrition, and hormonal influences.
The most common cause of short stature is having parents whose height is below average, but around 5 percent of children with short stature have a medical condition.
Conditions that can underlie short stature include:
•undernutrition, due to a disease or lack of nutrients
•hypothyroidism, leading to a lack of growth hormone
•a tumor in the pituitary gland
There are different types and causes of short stature, or restricted growth, and they will present differently. Because the range of conditions is so broad, restricted growth can be classified in various ways.
One categorization is:
•Variant restricted growth
•Proportionate short stature (PSS)
•Disproportionate short stature (DSS)
Each of these categories includes a number of types and causes of short stature.
Some types of short stature can be diagnosed at birth. In other cases, routine visits to a pediatrician should reveal any abnormal growth pattern.
The doctor will record the child’s head circumference, height, and weight.
If the doctor suspects restricted growth, they will carry out a physical examination, look at the child’s medical and family history, and possibly carry out some tests.
These may include:
An x-ray, to assess for problems with bone development
An insulin tolerance test, to check for a deficiency in the growth hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Treatment will depend on the cause of the short stature.
If there are signs of malnutrition, the child may need nutritional supplements or treatment for a bowel disorder or other condition that is preventing them from absorbing nutrients.
If growth is restricted or delayed because of a hormonal problem, GH treatment may be necessary.
Pediatric hormone treatment: In children who produce too little GH, a daily injection of hormone treatment may stimulate physical growth later in life. Medications, such as somatropin, may eventually add 4 inches, or 10 centimeters, to adult height.
Adult hormone treatment
Somatropin, also known as recombinant GH, might be recommended for people who:
A person with DSS may experience a number of complications.
These include:
•arthritis later in life
•delayed mobility development
•dental problems
•bowed legs
- Yvette Brazier
There are over 200 different types of dwarfism. Many conditions of dwarfism can have some medical complications, but most people have an average life expectancy and are productive members of society. Eighty percent of people with dwarfism have average height parents and siblings.
Jul 10, 2024 · Dwarfism occurs when a person has short stature. Different things cause dwarfism. Most forms of dwarfism are genetic or inherited at birth. More than 300 genetic conditions can cause dwarfism. It can also be caused by a medical or hormonal condition.
Jul 13, 2023 · Dwarfism (a form of skeletal dysplasia) is an umbrella medical term that includes hundreds of conditions that affect the growth of bone and/or cartilage, resulting in short stature. People with this condition are usually less than 4 feet 10 inches (1.47 meters) tall as an adult.
Dec 9, 2017 · Dwarfism occurs when a person is unusually short. Dwarfism itself is not a disease and, as a result, it has no single medical definition. Different organizations define dwarfism...
