Dwarfism Health Dictionary

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Dwarfism: From 2 Different Sources

n. abnormally short stature from any cause. The most common type is achondroplastic dwarfism (see achondroplasia). Pituitary dwarfism results from a deficiency of *growth hormone due to a defect in the pituitary gland; people with this type of dwarfism are well proportioned. Primordial dwarfism is due to a genetic defect in the response to growth hormone. Dwarfism may also be associated with thyroid deficiency (see cretinism), in which both physical and mental development are arrested; chronic diseases such as rickets; renal failure; and intestinal malabsorption.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Dwarfism

Dwar?sm, or short stature, refers to underdevelopment of the body. The condition, which has various causes, is not common. All children who by the age of ?ve years are at least what is technically known as ‘three standard deviations below the mean’ – well below average size for children of that age – should be referred for specialist advice. Among the causes are:

•genetic: familial; abnormalities of chromosomes, for example, TURNER’S SYNDROME; abnormal skeletal development; and failure of primary growth.

intrauterine growth retardation: maternal disorders; placental abnormalities; multiple fetuses.

constitutional delay in normal growth.

systemic conditions: nutritional de?ciencies; gastrointestinal absorption disorders; certain chronic diseases; psychosocial deprivation; endocrine malfunctions, including HYPOTHYROIDISM, CUSHING’S SYNDROME, RICKETS, dysfunction of the PITUITARY GLAND which produces growth hormone, the endocrine growth controller. Treatment of short stature is, where possible,

to remedy the cause: for example, children with hypothyroidism can be given THYROXINE. Children who are not growing properly should be referred for expert advice to determine the diagnosis and obtain appropriate curative or supportive treatments.... dwarfism


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