Dwarfism Fact Sheet
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mesomelic = middle, e.g., bones
of the forearm or lower leg
acromelic = end, e.g., bones of
hands and feet
micromelic = entire limbs are
shortened source
chondro = of cartilage
osteo = of bone
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spondylo = of the vertebrae
plasia = form
trophy = growth
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What is Dwarfism?
Dwarfism is a genetic or medical
condition that results in short stature.
Dwarfism is defined as an adult height
of 4 feet 10 inches or less.
Causes of Dwarfism
Dwarfism is known to be caused by a
few different conditions. Most conditions
of dwarfism are genetic disorders.
During pregnancy there is an abnormal
genetic mutation in either
the mother’s egg or the
father’s sperm. Other
known causes include
Tuner Syndrome,
inadequate pituitary
function, growth hormone deficiency,
and Achondroplasia. Research is still
being conducted to discover more
causes of dwarfism.
Types of Dwarfism
There are an estimated 200 different
types of dwarfism. Dwarfism is classified
by the way it affects the body.
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Examples include osseous dysplasia,
chondrodystophy, and
osteochondrodystophy.
Proportionate dwarfism is when the
head, trunk, and limbs are small but is
all proportionate to each other.
Disproportionate dwarfism is when
the trunk is average size but limbs are
very small. Two common types of
disproportionate dwarfism are
Achondroplasia and
Spondyloepiphyseal
Dysplasia Congenita.
Achondroplasia makes up
around 70% of dwarfism
cases. Achondroplasia prevalence is 1
of every 15,000 to 40,000 babies of all
races and ethnicities.
Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia
Congenita prevalence is 1 in 95,000
babies.
Rhizomelic= root, e.g., bones of
the upper arm or thigh
Sonya Felmly
West Chester University
KIN- Medical and Pathological Issues
Dwarfism Fact Sheet
Symptoms
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Hip deformities that result in thighbones
turning inward (coxa vara)
Proportionate Dwarfism
 Height below the third percentile
on standard pediatric growth charts
 Growth rate slower than expected
for age
 Delayed or no sexual
development during adolescence
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(clubfoot)
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An average-size trunk
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Short arms and legs, with particularly
short upper arms and upper legs
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Short fingers, often with a wide
separation between the middle and ring
fingers
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Limited mobility at the elbows
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A disproportionately large head, with a
prominent forehead and a flattened
bridge of the nose
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Progressive development of bowed legs
(genu varum)
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Progressive development of swayed
lower back (lordosis)
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An adult height around 4 feet — about
122 cm
Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia
Congenita
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A very short trunk, which may or may
not be apparent in infancy
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A short neck
Shortened arms and legs
Average-size hands and feet
Slightly flattened cheekbones
Progressive hunching curvature of the
upper spine (kyphosis)
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Progressive development of lordosis
Vision and hearing problems
Adult height ranging from 3 feet (91 cm)
to just over 4 feet (122 cm)
Disproportionate DwarfismAchondroplasia
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A foot that's twisted or out of shape
Other Concerns
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joint damage
nerve compression
pain
immobilization
Mental and psychosocial disorders
Testing
Measurements- During checkups your
doctor will measure the baby’s height,
weight, and head circumference. Your
doctor will plot these measurements on a
chart and will be able to determine how your
child is developing.
Appearance- Doctors can tell if a child has
dwarfism by looking for distinct facial and
skeletal features.
Imaging Technology- X-rays will assist
finding specific abnormalities of the
skeleton and skull to determine which
Sonya Felmly
West Chester University
KIN- Medical and Pathological Issues
Dwarfism Fact Sheet
dwarfism disorder the child has. Other
imaging devices can also help find delayed
maturation of bones related to growth
hormone deficiency. MRI (magnetic
resonance imaging) can detect abnormalities
of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus,
which help with hormone function.
Family History- Doctors can look at stature
of siblings, parents, grandparents, and other
relatives to determine the average height in
your family.
Hormone Testing- Doctors may test growth
hormones and other hormones that help
childhood growth and development.
Treatments
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physical therapy
pain medication
braces and other orthotic devices
hormone injections
limb-lengthening surgery
cosmetic surgery
simple shoe lifts
therapy- psychosocial aspects
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Sport Opportunities
Dwarf Athletic Association of American
provides any person with dwarfism ages 1639 and less than five feet sport
opportunities. Sport opportunities include
 Track
 Field
 Tennis
 Swimming
 Basketball
 Bocce
 Equestrian Sports
 Soccer
 Volleyball
 Power lifting
DID YOU KNOW???
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Teaching Tips
Physical Education
is important for children with
dwarfism because of its high
prevalence of obesity and
overweight.
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Reduce stress on weight bearing joints,
such as jogging can be reduced to
walking.
Swimming is a great activity since it
promotes flexibility and cardio
respiratory fitness.
Make playing area smaller
Racquets, golf clubs, and hockey sticks
will need to be adjusted
Use smaller size striking objects
Make sure all objects that used for
striking on the floor are soft incase it
pops up.
Rest breaks
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There is an estimated 30,000
people in the U.S. and 651, 700
in the world living with dwarfism.
Most people with Achondroplasia
are double jointed.
80% of children with have normal
Achondroplasia sized parents
and siblings.
Any average sized parent can
have a child with a form of
dwarfism
People with dwarfism are
generally 2’8” to 4’5”.
Sonya Felmly
West Chester University
KIN- Medical and Pathological Issues
Dwarfism Fact Sheet
References/Associations
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Dwarfism. MayoClinic.com.
Retrieved on July 30, 2012, from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/d
warfism/DS01012
Understanding Dwarfism. Retrieved
on July 30, 2012, from
http://www.understandingdwarfism.c
om/index.html
Joesph P. Winnick. (2001) Adapted
Physical Education. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics.
The Restricted Growth
Association
Little People of America group
Dwarf Athletic Association of
America
Sonya Felmly
West Chester University
KIN- Medical and Pathological Issues