Shortness is a confusing term.  Health experts help characterize this term by quantifying one’s shortness.   So a short stature is now defined as the two standard deviations below the average for every sex and age.

 

With the parameters for shortness clearly set, anyone can be able to distinguish if one is falling behind the growth trend.  Also, you will be able to prepare measures to provide the needed action.

 

Shortness is a symptom shared by many diseases.  This article will provide diseases that manifest shortness as symptoms.

 

Skeletal Dysplasia a.k.a Dwarfism

Skeletal Dysplasia is actually a general condition that encompasses many other conditions.  All the diseases similarly affect the growth of bone and cartilage.  A child that is born with the condition will exhibit abnormal shape and size in their skull, trunk, arms, or legs.  Other cases may include abnormal limb, asymmetric bone, or absence of a limb.

 

Skeletal dysplasia can be traced from the affected individual’s genes.  Also, they may result due to exposure from toxic substances.

 

The fetus’ bone framework is often visualized from a routine ultrasound.  The skeletal abnormality can be observed as early as 20 weeks of the pregnancy.

Examples of diseases categorized under skeletal dysplasia are rickets and osteogenesis imperfecta.

 

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is a type of hormonal disorder that can exhibit short stature on the individual affected.  It is caused by long-term exposure to high cortisol levels.

 

Aside from slowed growth rate, people with Cushing’s syndrome have thin arms and legs, increased fat around the neck, rounded face, and obese.

 

The good news is these diseases cover only small percentage individuals with short stature.  Normal variant that includes constitutional short stature, familial short stature, and malnutrition can be given easy and appropriate solution.