Dwarfism - Symptoms and Impacts

Symptoms and Impacts of Dwarfism 

(Kugler, 2019). 

Types of Dwarfism 

Different types of dwarfism have different causes and physical characteristics (Kugler, 2019). Something that each type has in common is the short stature. 

Disproportionate Dwarfism: This type of dwarfism means that an individual has some average-size parts of the body, such as the head or the trunk; they also have some shorter than average parts body, such as arms and legs (Kugler, 2019). The most common type of disproportionate dwarfism is achondroplasia. 

Proportionate Dwarfism: This type of dwarfism means that an individual is smaller-than-average all over (Kugler, 2019). Growth-hormone deficiency dwarfism, primordial dwarfism, and Seckel syndrome are part of proportionate dwarfism (Kugler, 2019). 

Symptoms of Dwarfism

Achondroplasia makes up 70% of cases of dwarfism and affects one of every 25,000 to 30,000 newborns (Kugler, 2019). Achondroplasia has a gene that does not allow the body to convert cartilage to the bone when individuals are growing, especially when it comes to the long bones (Kugler, 2019). 

Symptoms of Achondroplasia include: 

- Relatively long trunk

- Short arms and legs

- Shorthands and fingers, with the ring and middle finger

- Disproportionately large hed with a prominent forehead

- Large, forehead

- Bowed legs 

- Curved spine (Kugler, 2019). 

- Limited mobility at the elbows (Mayo Clinic, 2018). 

Those dealing with achondroplasia are also dealing with hydrocephalus (fluid in the brain) (Kugler, 2019). 

Individuals that fit into the category of disproportionate dwarfism may also have a rare disorder called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia condenita (SEDC) (Mayo Clinic, 2018). 

Symptoms of SEDC include: 

- Short trunk

- Short neck

- Short arms and legs 

- Average hands and feet

- Rounded chest

- Flat cheekbones

- Cleft Palate (opening in the roof of the mouth) 

- Hip deformities - Thighbones turning inward

- Feet twisted or out of shape 

- Instability of neck bones

- Hunching curvature of the upper spine 

- Progressive development of swayed lower back

- Vision and hearing problems 

- Arthritis (Mayo Clinic, 2018). 

Disproportionate dwarfism causes many more problems for the individual, especially when it comes to the skull, spine, and limbs (Mayo Clinic, 2018). 

Symptoms include 

- Delays in motor skills (sitting up, crawling, and walking) 

- Recurring ear infections 

- Sleep apnea

- Pressure on the spinal cord

- Hydrocephalus 

- Crowded teeth

- Severe hunching 

- Narrowing of the lower spine

- Arthritis 

- Weight gain (Mayo Clinic, 2018). 

(Jones, 2021). 

Impacts on Development 

Individuals with achondroplasia dwarfism might struggle with certain aspects while they are growing due to complications. 

Ireland did a study, Donaghey, McGill, Zankl, Ware, Pacey, Ault, Savarirayan, Sillence, Thompson, Townshend, and Johnston (2012) the development in children with achondroplasia using a longitudinal population-based study. A 41-item questionnaire was used and covered gross motor (14 items), fine motor (8 items), communication (12 items), and feeding (7 items) (Ireland et al., 2012). It was found that crawling and walking with achondroplasia extended beyond the 90th percentile and sitting and standing. Also, in the 90th percentile were roll over, stand unsupported, and stand with support (Ireland et al., 2012). All the children within the study were found that commando crawling was the easiest for them. 

(Kadelux, 2014). 

30 Children who went from lying to sitting used this method - lie prone, fully abduct the lower limbs, and push up through their arms or legs until they can fully be in an upright position (Ireland et al., 2012). While individuals are dealing with achondroplasia, they adapt to the lifestyle that they are given. Their crawling is going to be different, how they stand, and sometimes how they walk. Unless they are dealing with another disability or have another medical condition, they develop the same way every other kid does. 

Impacts on Cognitive Skills 

Dwarfism does not affect intellectual abilities unless the child is dealing with another disability. 

Somethings that individuals with dwarfism need when it comes to schooling: 

- Extra time getting to classes 

- Extra time on a test (if manual dexterity is apparent) 

- Miss assignments or class for medical appointments

- Step Stools in bathrooms, water fountains, classrooms, etc. 

- Additional accommodations 

- Anxious, depressed, or embarrassed about their size

- At risk for bullying

- The benefit from the IEP or 504 education plan is to accommodate education and physical needs (Gavin, 

2015).

(WTHI-TV, 2020). 

When individuals go to school, they want to feel welcomed and safe. Teachers can make individuals with dwarfism feel welcomes by treating them like everyone else. While some areas need to be accommodated for them, such as making sure everything accessible for reach is also accessible for these individuals to reach. They are also treating these individuals their age and not their size (Gavin, 2015). 

Impact on Emotions 

If an individual looks different from the societal standard, they are going to be bullied. This happens to the dwarfism community a lot more than anyone thinks. When kids go to school and are apart of the dwarfism community, other children will mock and shame them for looking different and doing things differently. This can cause them anxiety, depression, and shame for how they look. Individuals are born as dwarfs. Poeple dont understand that the words that they say are hurtful. The video below is a whole bunch of the dwarfism community going to a school to get their mascot changed because the word "midget" is offensive to the dwarfism community. 

Little people of America is the oldest and largest dwarfism organization for people with dwarfism and their families (LPA, 2015). This organization wants to abolish the word midget. The word midget is used as a derogatory slur and refers to people who were on public display for curiosity and sport (LPA, 2015). The word midget has a negative connotation behind the name. No one wants to be called a name with a negative connotation behind it. 

(Belleville News-Democrat, 2015). 

References 

Belleville News-Democrat. (2015, July 8). Little people of American urge Freeburg high school
 to remove Midget nickname. [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_fkQn5tNig

Gavin, L., M. (2015, April). Dwarfism Factsheet (for schools). Kids Health. 
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dwarfism-factsheet.html

Ireland, J., P., Donaghey, S., McGill, J., Zankl, A., Ware, S., R., Pacey, V., Ault, J., Savarirayan, R., Sillence, D., Thompson, E., Townshend, S., & Johnston, M., L. (2012). Development in 
children with achondroplasia: a prospective clinical cohort study. Wiley Online Library. 
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04234.x

Jones, M. (2021). Dwarfism. Emaze. https://app.emaze.com/@AOOQRZQQQ#1

Kadelux, M. (2014). Guess what? I'm not sorry. A is for Adelaide and. 
https://aisforadelaide.com/2014/12/09/guess-im-not-sorry/

Kugler, M. (2019, November 16). The most common types of dwarfism. Very Well Health. 
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-many-types-of-dwarfism-are-there-2860725LPA.

LPA. (2015, September). LPA issues statement to abolish the "m" word. Little people of 
America. 
https://www.lpaonline.org/the-m-word

Mayo Clinic. (2018, August 17). Dwarfism. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/dwarfism/symptoms-causes/syc-20371969
 
WTHI-TV. (2020, October 24). Local school proving height doesn’t matter, as they support 

dwarfism awareness month. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REyOYrr9f1s