What type of people get dwarfism

This is a medical condition where you stop breathing or your breathing slows down while you're sleeping. Examples of other types of dwarfism include:.

Dwarfism can be caused by a genetic condition. It can also be caused by a medical or hormonal condition. The majority of people with dwarfism have gene mutations. This means they have changes in specific genes. These mutations interfere with normal development. They may also affect the growth of the cartilage and bones in the body. Since arms and legs have the longest bones, any problems with normal bone development usually result in shorter limbs. This leads to short stature. Any genetic change that causes dwarfism can be inherited from parents.

It may also develop during fetal development. Two short-statured people can have a non-dwarf child. Average-sized parents can give birth to a child with achondroplasia.

Some non-genetic types of dwarfism can be caused by a growth hormone deficiency. They can also occur if a baby or child's body does not get the nutrients that they need for growth and proper development.

A specialist can usually treat these kinds of dwarfism using growth hormones. Doctors can diagnose some types of dwarfism during early pregnancy with genetic testing.

Some cases of achondroplasia can be diagnosed in the late stages of pregnancy through the use of ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to create a picture of the baby. Ultrasounds can show shorter-than-average arms and legs, as well as whether the growing baby's head is larger than average. Often, however, dwarfism can't be diagnosed until after the baby is born. Dwarfism itself is not a disease, so there is no "cure. They also lead healthy, active lives.

But the conditions that cause dwarfism can cause health complications. These health complications often involve the spine and lower limbs. Some medical issues relating to dwarfism are treated with surgery. These surgeries are usually performed on the following parts of the body:. Surgical treatments can help improve a little person's quality of life and survival.

If a child is very short, they might not receive a diagnosis of dwarfism when there are no other features besides short stature. Many people who are on the short side of the normal growth spectrum do not have dwarfism. Dwarfism occurs when a person has short stature. Different things cause dwarfism. Most forms of dwarfism are genetic or inherited at birth. More than genetic conditions can cause dwarfism. Dwarfism is not a disease, so there is no "cure.

They can also lead healthy, active lives just like any other person. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved. Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures.

They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD. Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease. These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms.

The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional. Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy.

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Menu Search Home Diseases Dwarfism. You can help advance rare disease research! Not a rare disease. Congenital and Genetic Diseases. Alaninuria with microcephaly, dwarfism, enamel hypoplasia and diabetes mellitus ; Alopecia-contractures-dwarfism-intellectual disability syndrome ; Amino aciduria with mental deficiency, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis and acidosis ; Alaninuria with microcephaly, dwarfism, enamel hypoplasia and diabetes mellitus ; Alopecia-contractures-dwarfism-intellectual disability syndrome ; Amino aciduria with mental deficiency, dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, osteoporosis and acidosis ; Bangstad syndrome ; Microcephalic primordial dwarfism, Montreal type See More.

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