dwarfism: genetic disorder project
causes and effects
Dwarfism
Cause- Most dwarfism-related conditions are genetic disorders, but the causes of some disorders are unknown. Most occurrences of dwarfism result from a random genetic mutation in either the father's sperm or the mother's egg rather than being in either parent's complete genetic makeup. Affect- Most people with dwarfism have disorders that cause disproportionately short stature. Usually, this means that a person has an average-size trunk and very short limbs, but some people may have a very short trunk and shortened (but disproportionately large) limbs. The other common characteristic of these disorders is that the head is disproportionately large compared with the body. Health Problems- The characteristic features of the skull, spine and limbs shared by most forms of disproportionate dwarfism result in some common problems: Delays in motor skills development, such as sitting up, crawling and walking Frequent ear infections (otitis media) and risk of hearing loss Bowing of the legs (genu varum) Difficulty breathing during sleep (sleep apnea) Pressure on the spinal cord at the base of the skull Excess fluid around the brain (hydrocephalus) Crowded teeth Progressive severe hunching (kyphosis) or swaying (lordosis) of the back In adulthood, narrowing of the channel in the lower spine (lumbosacral spinal stenosis), resulting in pressure on the spinal cord and subsequent pain or numbness in the legs Arthritis in adulthood Weight gain that can further complicate problems with joints and the spine and place pressure on nerves.Most Common- its most common in males because its a sex-linked trait. Treatments- insertion of a shunt to drain excess fluid and relieve pressure on the brain. a tracheotomy to improve breathing through small airways. corrective surgeries for deformaties such as cleft palate, club foot, or bowed legs. Medical Treatments- In some cases, a contrast material, typically gadolinium, may be injected through an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your hand or arm. The contrast material enhances the appearance of certain details. The material used for MRIs is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than the material used for CT scans. Interesting facts- People with a form of Dwarfism are usually no taller than 4 foot 10 inches. The word “midget” is considered highly offensive. Yes, you or your children can one day have a child with a form of Dwarfism. 80% of Little People are born to average sized parents. Most types of Dwarfism have medical complications, some more severe than others. Dwarfism occurs in all races and ethnicities.