Presentation Transcript
Dwarfism : Dwarfism
Types of Dwarfism: Types of Dwarfism There are way to many types of Dwarfism for me to go over in this short amount of time that I have today.
200 of those types have not even been named!
Because there are so many different types, I will give you all the most common.
Achondroplasia: Achondroplasia Of all the types of Dwarfism that is out there, Achondroplasia is by far the most common.
This type of Dwarfism accounts for half of all cases.
Characteristics of Achondroplasia : Characteristics of Achondroplasia People with this type have an average size trunk, with short arms and legs with a slightly enlarged head and prominent forehead.
Most of the people with this type are born to average sized parents.
The average adult height is about 4 ft. tall.
Diastrophic Dysplasia : Diastrophic Dysplasia Before 1960, many doctors believed that this type was another form of Achondroplasia.
Life span is normal, however there tends to be respiratory problems at infancy and orthopedic problems which can require many surgeries.
Characteristics of Diastrophic Dysplasia : Characteristics of Diastrophic Dysplasia Short limbs
Cleft palate
Club feet
Hitchhikers thumb
Ears with a cauliflower appearance
Growth-Hormone Deficiency : Growth-Hormone Deficiency Effects an estimated 10,000-15,000 people in the U.S.
This type of Dwarfism can be difficult to diagnose.
Can be treated with regular injections of human growth hormones.
People with this type use to be referred to as “midgets”, which is now offensive.
Characteristics of Growth-Hormone Deficiency : Characteristics of Growth-Hormone Deficiency Children with this disease often grow normally until about 2 or 3 years old.
This causes a short stature in which the persons head, trunk, and limbs are in the same proportion as an average size person.
This is where the term “midget” came from.
Facts About Dwarfism: Facts About Dwarfism Dwarfs are able to participate in athletics as long as it is within the limits of their medical diagnosis.
Average-sized people can become the parents of a dwarf child and dwarf’s can become parents to an average-size child.
References: References Little People of America Online, www.lpaonline.org/