Dwarfism: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is dwarfism (midget)?

Dwarfism or dwarfism is a congenital disorder characterized by shorter bone growth than normal.

This short bone size can occur in the hands, feet, or other parts of the body. Dwarfism or dwarfism is a congenital defect which is also known as a dwarf or midget.

There are two general types of dwarfism or dwarfism, namely proportional and disproportionate. Proportional dwarfism is a condition when the body parts are in proportion, but they are short in body size.

While disproportionate dwarfism is a condition when the body size fits the average but the arms and legs are shorter or the body size is short with longer limbs.

Although they have been born with them, this congenital condition can appear at any age.

How common is this condition?

Dwarfism is a congenital disorder that is not common. This congenital condition can be experienced since this newborn, both baby girls and boys.

Dwarfism or dwarfism is a condition that can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of dwarfism (midget)?

Symptoms of dwarism or dwarfism can be distinguished by type. The following are symptoms of dwarfism according to the types that exist:

The symptoms of dwarfism are disproportionate

Most babies and children with dwarfism disproportionately develop symptoms of short stature and imbalance in body size.

Take for example the normal body size but the size of the limbs such as the arms and legs are short. While children and other adults with this congenital disorder can have short stature, but limbs such as arms and legs are longer.

This disproportionate type of dwarfism also makes the heads of babies and children so large in comparison to their body size that they appear disproportionate.

However, babies and children with disproportionate dwarfism still have normal cognitive abilities.

The various signs and symptoms of dwarfism or disproportionate dwarfism are as follows:

• Relatively normal body size.
• Short, disproportionate arms and legs.
• Short finger size.
• Movement of the elbow is limited.
• Disproportionately large head.
• The forehead is protruding or jenong and the nasal bones seem flat (flat).
• Crooked legs.
• Reduced mobility in the elbow joint.

Symptoms of proportional dwarfism

Proportional dwarfism is a condition that can appear at birth or at an early age. The symptoms of proportional dwarfism can limit the growth and development of your little one's body as a whole.

The most common symptom of proportional dwarfism is small but proportional size of the head and limbs.

Because this type of dwarfism affects a child's overall growth, it can lead to suboptimal development in one or more parts of the body.

Some of the symptoms of dwarfism or proportional dwarfism are as follows:

• The child's height on the growth chart is below the average for their age.
• The development of a child's height is slower than other children his age.
• Child sexual development is delayed or absent during adolescence.

Symptoms can lead to complications if not treated properly. The complications of diseases associated with dwarfism can vary widely.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms related to the condition of babies and children, you should consult a doctor.

When to see a doctor

Launching from the Mayo Clinic, you and the symptoms of dwarfism disproportionately usually appear when a new baby is born or at least during the baby's growing period.

In contrast to the symptoms of proportional dwarfism which are usually not immediately visible because the body size looks balanced.

If you see a baby having the symptoms above or other questions, consult a doctor immediately.

The health condition of each person's body is different, including babies. Always consult a doctor in order to get the best treatment regarding the health condition of your baby.

Cause

What causes dwarfism (midget)?

Most of the causes of cases of congenital dwarism are due to genetics or heredity from parent to child. However, there are a small number of unknown causes of dwarfism.

The cause of dwarfism is due to mutations or genetic changes that occur randomly from both parents, both father and mother.

There are various common forms of dwarfism such as achondroplasia, bone dysplasia (skeletal dysplasia), and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (spondyloepiphyseal dysplasias).

Bone dysplasia is caused by sudden genetic changes or through heredity. Meanwhile, spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia is inherited recessively from parent to child.

This means that a new child will develop spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia if they receive two mutated or altered copies of the gene, one from the mother and one from the father.

In contrast to achondroplasia which can be inherited dominantly. In other words, a child can develop achondroplasia when they have one copy of a mutated or altered gene.

However, sometimes parents of children with achondroplasia do not carry the gene mutation. Gene mutations are acquired by children spontaneously or during conception.

Risk factors

What increases your risk of developing dwarfism (midget)?

The risk of a baby developing dwarfism increases if you have a family member with this genetic disorder. If you want to reduce the risk factors that you and your baby may have, consult your doctor immediately.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to diagnose this condition?

Doctors can diagnose dwarfism from the time a baby is in the womb, at birth, or during the growing period of the baby.

Quoting from Kids Health, ultrasound examination since the baby is still in the womb can help to show the condition of dwarfism.

When a baby is born, the doctor can perform a physical examination by measuring the baby's height, weight, and head circumference.

Each time it is time for a visit to the doctor, the results of the baby's body measurements will be compared to determine the extent of growth.

So, the doctor can assess the likelihood of the baby experiencing growth failure and disproportionate limb size.

Your little one's appearance including the shape of the face and body frame can also help doctors determine a diagnosis related to dwarfism or dwarfism.

In addition, a doctor can also make a diagnosis by performing an MRI examination (magnetic resonance imaging) and X-rays or X-rays in children.

This examination will help show possible delays in bone development as well as disorders of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. These two glands have an important function in the process of hormone production.

Genetic tests can also be advised by doctors to find out what genes are involved in causing a child's medical condition. However, usually genetic testing will be carried out when you want to confirm the diagnosis from other test results.

The doctor will also check the medical history of other family members to help determine if there are genetic disorders in the family.

On the other hand, children can also do hormone checks to find out the levels of growth hormone and other hormones involved in child development.

What are the treatments for dwarfism (midget)?

Surgical procedures that can correct problems in a child with disproportionate dwarfism include the following:

• Improve the direction of bone growth.
• Stabilizes and improves the shape of the spine.
• Increase the size of the opening in the spinal column to remove pressure on the spinal cord.
• Install shunt to remove excess fluid around the brain (hydrocephalus), if it occurs.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy can increase a child's height if you have dwarfism due to a lack of growth hormone.

In most cases, children receive injections every day for several years until they reach their maximum height. At least until the child's height reaches the average size of the family members.

Sustainable health care

Regular checkups and treatments by doctors regarding dwarfism can improve a child's quality of life. This health care needs to be done regularly until the child grows up.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat dwarfism (midget)?

Some of the efforts that can help the condition of children with dwarfism or dwarfism are as follows:

• Customize your home. Some changes in the home can be made by installing a specially designed extension to the light switch, a lower banister and replacing the doorknob with a lever.
• Communicate with the child's school. Talk to teachers at school about the state of dwarfism, how it affects children, what children need in the classroom and how the school can meet their needs.
• Talk about his condition. Get used to children to talk about their feelings and practice responses to questions from others about the conditions they are experiencing.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.