Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasias are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect bone growth and can result in dwarfism. They are most commonly referred to as SED. This interferes with the normal development of bone and connective tissue.
In general, people with SED have a short torso, neck, and limbs, but average-sized hands and feet. Individuals with SED also can have curvature of the spine that can progress during childhood and can lead to breathing problems.
Differences in the neck bones also can lead to spinal cord damage for some, if not monitored and treated appropriately. People with SED also may develop reduced joint mobility and arthritis early in life. So why are people born with dwarfism? In fact, children with achondroplasia are often born to average-size parents.
Doctors can usually treat these cases in childhood. Doctors are able to diagnose most cases of achondroplasia even before birth by doing an ultrasound in the later stages of pregnancy. Little people, their families, and their doctors focus on preventing or treating the health conditions that can happen with dwarfism. Different types of dwarfism bring different health concerns.
Some of the medical complications associated with dwarfism can require surgery usually on the back, neck, leg, foot, or middle ear. Because of this, little people usually go through more surgeries than the average-size person, especially as children. These surgeries require anesthesia, and that can be more of a risk for people with dwarfism because of their smaller body size and airways, and sometimes associated curvature of the spine.
Because of their shorter stature and physical differences in bone growth, children with dwarfism usually learn to roll over, sit up, and walk at older ages than average-size kids. Their bodies may be a little different and it might take them a little longer, but they do figure out how to do it in their own time and in their own way.
A few extra pounds on a little person can be more of a problem than a few extra pounds on an average-size person. Extra weight causes harmful stress on the back and joints. Most of the complications that happen in people with dwarfism are physical in nature and do not affect their intellectual ability. In fact, little people often develop a sense of ingenuity because they often have to find clever ways of doing things in the average-size world.
Treatment often includes providing emotional support for people and families living with dwarfism. Short-statured people often have to interact with people unfamiliar with dwarfism who make assumptions about their capabilities without knowing enough about it or getting to know someone with it. For short-statured people, meeting others can sometimes be challenging, especially those who are unfamiliar with dwarfism. Reviewed by: Angela L. Note: All information on KidsHealth is for educational purposes only.
Signs include:. Signs and symptoms of disproportionate dwarfism are often present at birth or in early infancy. Proportionate dwarfism may not be immediately apparent. See your child's doctor if you have any concerns about your child's growth or overall development. Most dwarfism-related conditions are genetic disorders, but the causes of some disorders are unknown. Most occurrences of dwarfism result from a random genetic mutation in either the father's sperm or the mother's egg rather than from either parent's complete genetic makeup.
About 80 percent of people with achondroplasia are born to parents of average height. A person with achondroplasia and with two average-size parents received one mutated copy of the gene associated with the disorder and one normal copy of the gene. A person with the disorder may pass along either a mutated or normal copy to his or her own children. Turner syndrome, a condition that affects only girls and women, results when a sex chromosome the X chromosome is missing or partially missing.
A female inherits an X chromosome from each parent. A girl with Turner syndrome has only one fully functioning copy of the female sex chromosome rather than two. The cause of growth hormone deficiency can sometimes be traced to a genetic mutation or injury, but for most people with the disorder, no cause can be identified. Other causes of dwarfism include other genetic disorders, deficiencies in other hormones or poor nutrition. Sometimes the cause is unknown.
Complications of dwarfism-related disorders can vary greatly, but some complications are common to a number of conditions. The characteristic features of the skull, spine and limbs shared by most forms of disproportionate dwarfism result in some common problems:. With proportionate dwarfism, problems in growth and development often result in complications with poorly developed organs. For example, heart problems that often occur with Turner syndrome can have a significant effect on health.
An absence of sexual maturation associated with growth hormone deficiency or Turner syndrome affects both physical development and social functioning. Women with disproportionate dwarfism may develop respiratory problems during pregnancy.
A C-section cesarean delivery is almost always necessary because the size and shape of the pelvis doesn't allow for successful vaginal delivery.
Most people with dwarfism prefer not to be labeled by a condition. However, some people may refer to themselves as dwarfs, little people or people of short stature. The word "midget" is generally considered an offensive term. People of average height may have misconceptions about people with dwarfism. And the portrayal of people with dwarfism in modern movies often includes stereotypes. Misconceptions can impact a person's self-esteem and limit opportunities for success in school or employment.
Children with dwarfism are particularly vulnerable to teasing and ridicule from classmates. Because dwarfism is relatively uncommon, children may feel isolated from their peers.
While there are many problems associated with Dwarfism, midgets are not plagued by these problems. Midgets are just normal people whose height is stunted.
In the case of dwarfs, the physical conditions affecting them are: malformed bones , nerve compression, joint disease , and disoriented growth of some organs. Both midgets and dwarfs have to suffer the psychological or social problems associated with their condition. Social prejudice against their extreme height may reduce their social confidence and opportunites.
Sometimes they're mocked and may suffer from low self esteem. Sometimes extreme shortness height of less than 3 feet may interfere with their day to day chores.
Since the conditions are related to genetic problems, there are few treatments available. Dress enhancements such as shoe lifts etc are some of the few ways to change the aesthetics of little people. Growth hormones are rarely used to treat these conditions as the benefits are very small. The most effective means of increasing adult height by several inches is limb-lengthening surgery, though availability is limited and cost is high in terms of dollars, discomfort, and interruption of life.
Share this comparison:. If you read this far, you should follow us:. Diffen LLC, n. I am a very short individual and people used to call me "midget" mostly when I was in school. Occasionally, they would use the word "dwarf" but midget sounded funnier to them. I am not at all offended. It has never bothered me that I am small, nor has it impacted my quality of life unless you consider the inability to buy fashionable clothes a tragedy.
My short stature is not a direct result of genetics but early malnutrition and illness. I think people need to grow a sense of humour and learn to be less offended by words. For me it was always the speakers intent that determined whether I should be offended.
Guess some of us are politically incorrect. My Mum was 4'8" and happily referred to herself as a midget. She was clear to point out that she was not a dwarf - which is genetically passed on.
She was just little. I don't think anyone uses 'midget' as a professional diagnosis. I am small 4 ' I know now I am not a dwarf and if I was called a dwarf, I would find this offensive because there is a difference. Alot of people are midgets but their are few dwarfs. I do like seeing people shorter than me. Anyway we are cute and small.
I am small 4' Anyway my friends have called me c-4 because dynamite just doesn't pack a large enough punch. To whomever wrote "I am actually a tall person shrunk down," I think I'm going to use that one Any way, I also am a bit on the short side; I'm usually up to the shoulders or the mid-chest area of those surrounding me. I stand on my counter to reach the cupboards in my kitchen because the stools are too small for my little legs and arms to allow me to reach high enough.
I'm often called a midget, or my nickname - Short Shit - and I am not at all offended in any way. I dont see why people are making such a huge fuss about it. Honestly, grow up.
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