Definition
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 defines Dwarfism as a medical or genetic condition resulting in an adult height of 4 feet 10 inches (147 centimeters) or less.
Variations
- Disproportionate dwarfism: If body size is disproportionate, some parts of the body are small, and others are of average size or above-average size. Disorders causing disproportionate dwarfism inhibit the development of bones. Disproportionate dwarfism is characterized by either short limbs or a short torso. Almost all people with disproportionate dwarfism have normal intellectual capacities. Rare exceptions are usually the result of a secondary factor, such as excess fluid around the brain (hydrocephalus).
- Proportionate dwarfism: A body is proportionately small if all parts of the body are small to the same degree and appear to be proportioned like a body of average stature. Medical conditions present at birth or appearing in early childhood limit overall growth and development. Because these disorders affect overall growth, many of them result in poor development of one or more body systems.
Causes
100s of different conditions can cause dwarfism, the most common ones being:
- Achondroplasia: The most recognizable and most common form of dwarfism in humans is achondroplasiacomprising 70% of cases. It produces rhizomelic short limbs, increased spinal curvature, and distortion of skull growth. In achondroplasia the body's limbs are proportionately shorter than the trunk (abdominal area), with a larger head than average and characteristic facial features. Achondroplasia is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by the presence of a faulty allele in the genome.
- Growth hormone deficiency (GHD): Is a medical condition in which the body produces insufficient growth hormone. Growth hormone, also called somatotropin, is a polypeptide hormone which stimulates growth and cell reproduction.
f this hormone is lacking, stunted or even halted growth may become apparent. Children with this disordermay grow slowly and puberty may be delayed by several years or indefinitely. Growth hormone deficiency has no single definite cause. It can be caused by mutations of specific genes, damage to the pituitary gland, Turner's syndrome, poor nutrition,or evenstress (leading to psychogenic dwarfism). Laron syndrome (growth hormone insensitivity) is another cause. Those with growth hormone issues tend to be proportionate.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Those with genetic disorders can sometimes be treated with surgery or physical therapy. Hormone disorders can also be treated with growth hormone therapy before the child's growth plates fuse.In many cases, people with dwarfism have other orthopaedic or medical complicationsrequiring their own treatments, such as for the following:
- reduced muscle tone and delayed motor skill development
- breathing problems
- limited joint flexibility and arthritis
- lower back pain or leg numbness
- curvature of the spine, such as scoliosis
- recurring ear infections and risk of hearing loss
- bowed legs
- crowded teeth
Statistics in India
The Bengaluru-based Dwarf Federation of India estimates that there are nearly 2 lakh dwarf people in India. It defines dwarfism as a medical or genetic condition that usually results in an adult height of 4' 8'' or shorter among both men and women.