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| Index of Diseases and Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
A dwarf is a person of short stature - under 4’ 10” as an adult. More than 200 different conditions can cause dwarfism. A single type, called achondroplasia, causes about 70 percent of all dwarfism. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects about 1 in 25,000 people. It makes your arms and legs short in comparison to your head and trunk. Other genetic conditions, kidney disease and problems with metabolism or hormones can also cause short stature.
Dwarfism itself is not a disease. However, there is a greater risk of some health problems With proper medical care, most people with dwarfism have active lives and live as long as other people.
'''Dwarfism''' is a condition in which a person, animal or plant is much below the ordinary size of the species. When applied to people, it implies not just extreme shortness, but a degree of disproportion. Dwarfism is now rarely used as a medical term and is sometimes (but not always) considered impolite or pejorative. Today, the term ''little person'' tends to be preferred. Of the hundreds of causes of dwarfism in humans, most are genetic, and most involve single gene variations that affect the structure or metabolism of bone, cartilage, or connective tissue. This class of disorder is referred to by physicians as skeletal dysplasias. Chondrodystrophies, chondrodysplasias, osteochondrodystrophies are also used (fairly interchangeably) in the medical literature to refer to most of these conditions. In many of these conditions, the bones are the primary affected body part, and the person is otherwise healthy. In many others, the genetic difference affects other body systems, causing unusual features or other major problems. Achondroplasia is one of the most common and perhaps the most easily recognized skeletal dysplasia. It affects approximately 1 in 40,000 children, both males and females as it is due to a mutation of an Autosome gene.
Jacksonville.com: Metro: Teen found caged; parents held - The adoptive parents of a 17-year-old boy who was found locked in a crib suffering from psychosocial dwarfism are charged with felony child neglect.
Dwarfism.org - Comprehensive resource, including information on types of dwarfism, links to medical resources, specialized shopping resources, legal information, e-mail list, links to web pages by dwarfs, and articles on various topics.
Little People's Research Fund, Inc. - Little People's Research Fund is the only health organization in the world supporting research for the special medical needs of Little People - people affected with dwarfism.
Greenberg Center - The Greenberg Center is dedicated to physicians, patients, families and others with an interest in dwarfism and skeletal dysplasias.
Seckel Sydrome - Information on this dwarfism, and contacting other families aware of this rare disorder.
Kids Health: Dwarfism - Article for parents wondering what lies ahead for their child and family. Info about the condition and living with it.
Anchorage Daily News - Dwarfism: Genetics, ethics - Ethical issues in testing for dwarfism, a severe conditions in which the child is either stillborn or dies within days of birth, to ensure dwarfs do not have a child of average stature.
Ability UK Dwarfism - Collection of links related to dwarfism.
Dwarfism - Short Stature - Links to national and international support groups, lay advocacy organizations, clinics, genetic counselors and geneticists.
Irish Association for Restricted Growth - Nonprofit organization providing support and information to people of short stature and their families. Articles about people with dwarfism and related conditions; information about assistance resources in Ireland and IAFRG activities.