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Dwarfism

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Dwarfism

Dwarfism is having an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches or less. More than 200 different medical conditions can cause dwarfism. The disorders are divided into two categories:

• cases in which some parts of your body are small and other parts are of average or above-average size
• cases in which all parts of your body are small but in proportion

A single medical condition, called achondroplasia (AY-KON-druh-PLAY-zhuh), causes about 70 percent of all dwarfism. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that makes your arms and legs short relative to your head and trunk. Other genetic conditions, low levels of some hormones (such as growth hormone), and poor nutrition can also cause dwarfism.

Dwarfism is not a disease and opinions vary within the dwarf community about whether dwarfism is a disability. Short stature can make some activities of daily living harder, such as using an ATM or gas pump. But most people with dwarfism have active, healthy lives and normal life spans.

Additional Resources

Publications

1. Achondroplasia (Copyright © MOD) - This on-line fact sheet provides information about achondroplasia. It includes how it is caused, diagnosed, and treated. A list of additional resources is found at the end of the fact sheet.

   http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1204.asp

2. Dwarfism (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) - This fact sheet is written for parents and contains information about what dwarfism is and isn't, what causes dwarfism, and the difficulties that a child with dwarfism will experience.

   http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/dwarfism.html

3. Dwarfism Resources: Types and Definitions (Copyright © Little People of America, Inc.) - This publication has information on the different types and definitions of dwarfism in a dictionary format. It was designed to educate individuals who are not familiar with the various forms of dwarfism.

   http://medical.lpaonline.org/dwarfism_types/

4. Little People of America: Frequently Asked Questions (Copyright © Little People of America, Inc.) - This publication has information on dwarfism. It includes the definition of dwarfism, types of dwarfism, it's medical prognosis and the abilities and disabilities associated with dwarfism.

   http://www.lpaonline.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=44397

5. “Routine” Gynecologic Exams for Women of Short Stature (Copyright © Greenburg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias) - This fact sheet provides tips for women of short stature on how to adapt equipment used during a gynecological exam.

   http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/geneticmedicine/CR/SKD/Articles.html#gyn_exam

6. Skeletal Dysplasia (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) - The site is intended to be an on-line resource for physicians, patients, families and others who are interested in learning more about the skeletal dysplasias.

   http://www.nemours.org/hospital/de/aidhc/service/skeletal-dysplasia.html

Organizations

1.   Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center
2. Dwarf Athletic Association of America
3. Greenberg Center for Skeletal Dysplasias, Johns Hopkins University Institute of Genetic Medicine
4. Human Growth Foundation
5. International Skeletal Dysplasia Registry
6. Little People of America, Inc.

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.