Dwarfism

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.

• 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.

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.

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

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.

1. Disabilit Affairs
2. Fortis Health Cares
3. Wikipedia
4. Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 & Dwarfism
5. Little India's ignored desires