Dwarfism Essay

Dwarfism is a genetic abnormality, that results in short stature. Most

People consider dwarfism to be an adult height of four feet ten inches and

under. Someone can develop dwarfism from different genetic, and other

conditions. It is estimated that between one in every 14,000, and one in

every 27,00 people are born with dwarfism each year.

    There are many different conditions that cause dwarfism. Some of these

  conditions are a bone disorder called skeletal dysplasias. The skeletal

  dysphasia are separated into two different groups, Short-trunk, and Short-

  limbed. More than 500 different skeletal dysplasias have been discovered.

  The most common skeletal dysplasias is called achondroplasia, and occurs

  in one in every 20,000 births in the us, and affects about 80% of all people

with dwarfism. Dwarfism occurs in all ethnic group. Any two average size

parents can have a child with dwarfism. Most causes are genetic, resulting

from a spontaneous mutation, or can be inherited from the parents. In a

mutation a single normal gene in a chromosome suddenly mutates, which

results in the specific condition. The mutations occur during pregnancy, and

is the most common reason that two parents of average size can have a

child with dwarfism. When dwarfism is inherited both parents have a

recessive gene that produces a dwarfism causing condition, and both pass it

on to the child, the child will have that condition.


Symptoms that occur in most types of dwarfism are short stature, and

shorter limbs, like arms, legs and fingers. These are the most recognizable.

Others may include an increased risk of ear infection, and hearing loss,

increased head size, a prominent forehead, apnea, which is a stop in

breathing, while asleep, small ribcage, a curved and twisted spine, difficulty

bending, and straightening elbows, being double jointed, and a delay in

motor.