Dwarfism can be a minefield of information, here are some quick facts to help understanding -
- There are over 200 different types of dwarfism
- 80% of people with dwarfism are born to average height parents as the result of a spontaneous mutation
- Some forms of dwarfism can be passed on to children, when parents have dwarfism themselves
- A person with dwarfism is typically under the height of 4 foot 10 inches
- There are between 3,000 and 7,000 people with dwarfism in the UK
- Dwarfism is not just about height, other medical issues can arise due to dwarfism
- Different forms of dwarfism have differing medical issues such as spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, arthritis and more
- Dwarfism can be diagnosed using a number of methods included genetic testing, ultrasound scans and x-rays
- Some forms of dwarfism are noticeable at birth, other forms of dwarfism are not noticeable until around 3 or 4 years of age
- There is not one single specialist who deals with medical issues around dwarfism, it often takes a team working together