Do you know what causes dwarf syndrome (dwarfism)? Supervised by the doctor!

 

Has anyone ever wondered if a child might be a little short compared to their peers? In general, a person's height varies from person to person and is often seen as having a personality, but it is easy to worry if you are definitely short compared to your peers. For some reason, the person does not grow taller and is unable to grow, and such a person is called dwarf syndrome. So, this time, let's take a closer look at what kind of disease is dwarf syndrome, its symptoms, causes, and treatment.

Characteristics of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism)

What is dwarf syndrome (dwarfism)?

Dwarf syndrome (dwarf syndrome), also called 'dwarfism', is a condition in which growth is slow from childhood due to some cause. However, dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is not a disease itself, but rather a group of diseases that result in a decrease in height due to various causes.

For example, some dwarf syndromes (dwarfism) cause short stature due to bone disorders or chromosomal abnormalities. It is also the case with low thyroid hormones, which can be seen in hypothyroidism and the like. If you are born with intrauterine hypoplasia (SGA-related short stature), your kidneys may grow by the age of 3, but there are cases where your height decreases. There is also acquired dwarf syndrome (dwarfism), which is caused, for example, by cancer treatment.

Even the same dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) has several causes. A specific symptom of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is clearly short stature compared to the average height of children of the same sex and age.

What are the symptoms?

Dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) varies from person to person, but the most common symptom is short stature. Also, other symptoms include:

• kidney failure
• growth disorders

In addition to these symptoms, depending on the disease, there are physical characteristics such as short limbs and a large head circumference.

At what rate does it occur?

Dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) develops in only 2 in 100 people. However, it is also conceivable that these two will not continue to have dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) but will be treated and become standard heights. Therefore, the proportion of adults with dwarf syndrome is thought to be lower.

Is there a possibility of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) if a child is short?

Just saying that the child's height is a little short does not necessarily mean dwarf syndrome (dwarfism). In particular, if there is no visible disease, the child's height is the standard to determine what kind of growth problem there is.

What causes dwarf syndrome (dwarfism)?

The cause of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is not clearly known, but most are thought to be sudden. Rarely, growth hormone secretion failure may be the cause, but the following diseases are thought to be the main causes.

• hyposecretion of growth hormone
• endocrine abnormalities
• Bone or cartilage abnormalities
• Organ abnormalities (heart, kidney, etc.)
• fetal hypoplasia
• Chromosomal abnormalities (Turner syndrome)
• steroid treatment
• Psychosocial factors such as lack of affection
• poor nutrition

The small height of growth hormone hyposecretion is a disease called 'growth hormone hyposecretion small nephropathy'. Because growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland, it was previously called 'pituitary dwarfism'. In addition, if the height is shorter than the cartilage, it is 'achondroplasia'. If you are concerned about your short stature, you should definitely check to see if any diseases are hiding. And by doing a small stature test, you can discover serious underlying diseases.

In many cases, the cause is not clear.

Dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) often has no clear cause. Most of the dwarf syndromes (dwarfism) are sudden and unknown in 95% of cases, and less than 5% are caused by growth hormone insufficiency. In addition, although hereditary is rarely thought to be the cause of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism), the frequency is not known. Hereditary short stature tends to result in shorter stature than idiopathic short stature. In addition, dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) can be accompanied by complications depending on the individual cause, and can appear as a variety of symptoms.

Please tell me how to diagnose dwarf syndrome (dwarfism).

A diagnostic method for dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is to view the SD value according to the SD score. SD value is a numerical representation of the deviation from the average height of children of the same sex and age. Comparing the height of a child of the same sex with a child of the same age as a small child, the degree of growth of a child can be seen at a glance. If the SD score is less than minus 2.0 SD, it can be judged as small.

Other diagnostic methods include x-rays to determine bone age or blood tests. Blood tests look for increased levels of growth hormone in the child's blood and nutritional status. In addition to these tests, a CT or MRI scan of the head is also performed to check for other diseases. In addition, growth hormone or thyroid function test, hormone load test (insulin load test, etc.) to check whether the secretion of growth hormone is stimulated. And if you are diagnosed with dwarf syndrome, based on the detailed examination, you decide the treatment policy in consultation with yourself and your family. Compared to foreigners, there are many people who are naturally small, so it is difficult to recognize this disease. Therefore, if a disease is suspected, it is recommended to promptly be examined by a specialist for diagnosis.

Precautions to be taken during treatment or treatment

Is there a cure for dwarf syndrome (dwarfism)?

Treatment of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is performed by a specialist based on the diagnosis of growth hormone insufficiency short stature. As a result of the diagnosis, if the cause is a lack of growth hormone, it is to take a growth hormone injection at home every day and supplement the hormone. The period of hormone injections should be continued for several years until the target height is reached. However, if the dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is caused by another cause, that treatment will be given priority. Incidentally, in the case of short stature due to heredity, treatment is not necessary.

Long-term treatment is difficult.

Treatment for dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) requires you to continue taking growth hormone injections every day, for several years, until you reach your target height. Dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is a disease with a limited treatment period, so it is important to start treatment as soon as possible with early detection anyway. Starting treatment early can facilitate height growth and a secondary sexual characteristic called 'puberty'. Also, treatment for dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) is not immediately effective as soon as it is started. It is very important not to get anxious over the years, and to take care of the treatment at a leisurely pace with the growth of the child.

What precautions should be taken during the treatment of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism)?

There are individual differences in height in the treatment of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism), so the effect may not appear depending on the time. Dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) can also develop a variety of complications. For example, in the case of dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) due to congenital abnormal secretion of growth hormone, hypoglycemia or abnormal bone metabolism appears. Secondary sexual genitalia with physical changes from children to adults may not come. It is very important to proceed with treatment properly while paying sufficient attention to these complications.

Treatment for dwarf syndrome (dwarfism) has a deadline, however, early detection and early treatment is very important. No matter how much growth hormone is administered as a treatment to the bones that have grown into adults, they may not grow beyond that height. In addition, it is important to get a diagnosis by early detection because there are cases where other diseases are the cause besides the secretion of growth hormone. Therefore, if you feel even a little anxious, it is recommended to consult and receive treatment at a specialized medical institution such as a pediatrician as early as possible.

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In dwarf syndrome (dwarfism), it is possible that you have a disease such as an abnormal growth hormone secretion or an endocrine abnormality. Also, because psychological factors can make you short, it is necessary to slowly face the disease with treatment. For most of the people receiving treatment, about 8 centimeters of kidney growth has been confirmed within about a year after treatment. However, subsequent growth in height cannot be expected, and early detection and early treatment of this disease are important. If you have any new symptoms or if you develop serious symptoms, please contact your medical institution immediately.