Most people with dwarfism have normal intelligence. Little people go to school, work, drive cars, marry, and raise children, just like their average-size peers. What Causes Dwarfism? What Are the Types of Dwarfism?
The two types of this disproportion are short-trunk and short-limb: People with short-trunk dwarfism have a shortened trunk with more average-sized limbs. People with short-limb dwarfism have a more average-sized trunk with shortened arms and legs. They also may have: a larger head with a prominent forehead a flattened bridge of the nose shortened hands and fingers a sway of the lower back bowed legs The average adult height for someone with achondroplasia is a little over 4 feet.
They might also have: a cleft palate ears with a cauliflower-like appearance differently positioned thumbs also called hitchhiker thumbs inward or downward pointing feet spine curves that get worse over time Most people with diastrophic dysplasia have joint problems that limit movement.
Possible Complications and Treatments People with dwarfism can lead healthy, active lives. How Can Parents Help? Here are some general tips to keep in mind: Treat your child according to his or her age and developmental level, not size. Simple things like a light switch extender or a step-stool can give a short-statured child a sense of independence around the house. Ask how your child wants to refer to their dwarfism. Address questions or comments as directly as possible, then point out something special about your child.
Your child will see that you notice the qualities that make him unique. Talk to teachers and administrators to make sure your child is getting support. Help your child learn about dwarfism and the health care needed over time and as your child gets older and more independent. Encourage your child to find a hobby or activity to enjoy. Check with your doctor about any sports to avoid. Stay active together as a family. If needed, choose or adapt the activity so your child can join.
Refer family and friends to websites that can help them learn about dwarfism, such as: Understanding Dwarfism Little People of America Find support from groups like Little People of America.
Getting to know other people with dwarfism — both as peers and mentors — can show kids how much they can achieve. Dwarfism Factsheet for Schools What teachers should know about dwarfism, and how to help students with dwarfism succeed in school. Dwarfism A dwarf is a short-statured person whose adult height is 4 feet 10 inches or under. What Is a Growth Disorder? Some medical concerns are treated with surgery. These are done with anesthesia, which can be more of a risk for little people because of their smaller body size and airways.
People with dwarfism should try to keep a healthy weight. A few extra pounds can put harmful stress on the back and joints.
It's important for them to find safe and enjoyable physical activities. People with dwarfism can lead healthy, active lives. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects their rights. Types of skeletal dysplasia and the severity of medical needs vary from person to person. In general, with proper medical care, life span is not affected by dwarfism.
Most of the complications that happen in people with dwarfism are physical, not intellectual. In fact, little people often find clever ways to do things in the average-size world. They also interact with people unfamiliar with dwarfism who make assumptions about it.
While that can be tough and awkward at times, it's also a chance to enlighten people who don't know much about dwarfism. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Dwarfism? Here are some facts that people may not realize about dwarfism. Dwarfism: is characterized by short stature. A person with the disorder may pass along either a mutated or normal copy to his or her own children. Turner syndrome, a condition that affects only girls and women, results when a sex chromosome the X chromosome is missing or partially missing.
A female inherits an X chromosome from each parent. A girl with Turner syndrome has only one fully functioning copy of the female sex chromosome rather than two. The cause of growth hormone deficiency can sometimes be traced to a genetic mutation or injury, but for most people with the disorder, no cause can be identified.
Other causes of dwarfism include other genetic disorders, deficiencies in other hormones or poor nutrition. Sometimes the cause is unknown. Complications of dwarfism-related disorders can vary greatly, but some complications are common to a number of conditions. The characteristic features of the skull, spine and limbs shared by most forms of disproportionate dwarfism result in some common problems:. With proportionate dwarfism, problems in growth and development often result in complications with poorly developed organs.
For example, heart problems that often occur with Turner syndrome can have a significant effect on health. An absence of sexual maturation associated with growth hormone deficiency or Turner syndrome affects both physical development and social functioning.
Women with disproportionate dwarfism may develop respiratory problems during pregnancy. A C-section cesarean delivery is almost always necessary because the size and shape of the pelvis doesn't allow for successful vaginal delivery. Most people with dwarfism prefer not to be labeled by a condition. However, some people may refer to themselves as dwarfs, little people or people of short stature. The word "midget" is generally considered an offensive term.
People of average height may have misconceptions about people with dwarfism. And the portrayal of people with dwarfism in modern movies often includes stereotypes. Misconceptions can impact a person's self-esteem and limit opportunities for success in school or employment. Children with dwarfism are particularly vulnerable to teasing and ridicule from classmates. Because dwarfism is relatively uncommon, children may feel isolated from their peers.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Proportionate dwarfism -- short-stature conditions that result in the arms, legs, trunk, and head being in the same proportion relative size to one another as in an average-size person -- is often the result of a hormonal deficiency, and may be treated medically, resulting in an average or near average height.
There are not such treatments available for people with disproportionate short stature. Dwarfism Dwarfism is a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4'10" or shorter, among both men and women, although in some cases a person with a dwarfing condition may be slightly taller than that. Common Types of Dwarfism The most frequently diagnosed cause of short stature is achondroplasia, a genetic condition that results in disproportionately short arms and legs.
0コメント