What Are the Types of Dwarfism?
Do all dwarfs look alike? Not necessarily. All dwarfs are short, but different types of dwarfism have different causes and different physical traits. Achondroplasia is the most common kind of dwarfism. Almost three quarters of all cases of short stature are achondroplasia, which occurs in 1 of every 25,000 to 40,000 births. People with achondroplasia have a problem converting cartilage to bone while growing, especially in the long bones of the arms and legs. People with achondroplasia have a normal-size torso (the upper body) but noticeably shorter arms and legs. Their heads are usually larger with a prominent forehead. Their fingers are short, and the ring finger and middle finger may separate giving a three-pronged appearance. Adults with achondroplasia can develop a sway of the lower back and bowed legs. The average height for an adult with achondroplasia is 4’1″ for women and 4’2″ for men. Diastrophic dysplasia occurs in about 1 of every 100,000 births. People with diastrophic dysp
