Short stature

Short stature

Short stature or Dwarfism results from a medical condition or due to genetics. Stature is measured in a standing position which is typically the height of the person. A person is considered short stature if the height is 4 feet, 10 inches (147 cm) or less. In females the height for short stature is 4 feet, 1 inch (125 cm) and 4 feet, 4 inches (132 cm) for men.

Types of short stature

Short stature is divided into two broad categories such as:-

• Disproportionate short stature: As the name suggests in this type of short stature some parts of the body are small, and others are of average or above-average size.
• Proportionate stature: In this type all parts of the body are small to the same degree and the person appears like a body of average stature.

While treating children with dwarfism, sensitivity is very important. People with short height should not be considered infused with short stature. Short height is typically associated with bone development.

How to identify short stature (Dwarfism )?

The symptoms vary based on the type of Dwarfism such as:-

Disproportionate dwarfism

Most people with dwarfism have an average-sized trunk and very short limbs and some may have a very short trunk and short limbs. In both cases, the head is large compared with the body. This condition usually exhibits the following symptoms:

• The trunk size is average.
• Short upper arms and upper legs.
• The fingers are short and the gap between the middle and the ring finger is wide.
• Elbows have a limited range of motion.
• The head is large compared to the rest of the body.
• Prominent forehead
• The bridge of the nose is flattened.
• The legs are bow shaped.
• Swayed lower back.

Proportionate dwarfism

In proportionate dwarfism the head, trunk and limbs are all small, but they’re small to the same degree. The Symptoms include:-

• On a standard pediatric growth chart the height is below the third percentile.
• The body does not grow according to age.
• Delayed or no development of the reproductive organs during the teenage.

When to suspect that your child might have short stature?

• If the child has disproportionate dwarfism then those symptoms are visible at birth or in early infancy. The parent or the healthcare professional will be able to identify such dwarfism at a pretty early stage.
• Proportionate dwarfism is hard to recognise during infancy. Please monitor the child’s growth and their milestones. If there are discrepancies in either of them, please take your child to a healthcare professional.

Causes of short stature

Most often dwarfism is caused due to a random change in a child’s gene or due to a genetic variant in one or both parents.

• Achondroplasia
  
  About 80% of children with achondroplasia are born to average-sized parents. But the child might have received one changed gene related to the condition and one regular gene.
• Turner syndrome
  
  Turner syndrome, a condition that affects only female children, where the X chromosome — is missing or partially missing. A girl child with Turner syndrome does not have two fully functioning copies of the female sex chromosome.
• Low levels of growth hormones
  
  Low levels of growth hormones could be genetic or due to an injury. In most children, the cause of low hormonal levels cannot be traced.
• Other causes
  
  Poor nutrition is also a cause for poor growth. If the child’s nutritional requirements are not met, it affects both the physical and the mental growth of the child.
• In some children, the cause of dwarfism is not known.
• If either one of the parents has dwarfism, the risk of having a child with dwarfism rises.
  
  

What are the complications due to Dwarfism?

Complications of dwarfism vary greatly depending on the type that the child has such as :-

Medical challenges

Disproportionate dwarfism

The following complications could occur due to disproportionate shape of the skull, spine and limbs:-

• Motor skills will be delayed, such as sitting up, crawling and walking.
• They develop ear infections easily and are at the risk of hearing loss.
• Legs will be in a bow shape.
• Sleep apnea i.e., a hard time breathing while sleeping.
• Spinal stenosis – The channel in the lower spine will be narrow so it puts pressure on the spinal cord and leads to pain or numbness in the legs.
• Hydrocephalus- Extra fluid around the brain.
• The child may need dental corrections.
• Serious hunching with back pain.
• Arthritis

Proportionate dwarfism

Proportionate dwarfism leads to complications with organs that don’t grow properly.

• Heart conditions,
• Improper sexual maturation,
• Low growth hormone levels or
• Lack of physical development and social functioning.

Social complications

• Most people suffer from societal labels.
• Portrayal of people with dwarfism in popular culture affects a child’s self-esteem and limits how well they do at school.
• Children with dwarfism suffer bullying at school and playgrounds.
• Children often face loneliness.
• Their mental health might be more compromised so they need peer support for the best quality of life.

Diagnosis of short stature

The pediatrician will look at several factors to find out whether your child has a dwarfism-related condition. The pediatrician will vet evaluations from other specialties such as endocrinology and genetics. disproportionate dwarfism can be caught in prenatal ultrasound if the limbs are shorter than the trunk are noted. The following are the diagnostic procedures:-

• Measurements: During routine checkups the child’s height, weight and head size are routinely measured. They are important in identifying any delayed growth or a large head in relation to the rest of the body. If there is any concern, your child’s pediatrician may take measurements more often.
• Appearance: If the child has dwarfism there are distinct facial and skeletal features. The child’s looks will help your pediatrician make a diagnosis.

Imaging technology:

• X-rays are taken because certain differences in the skull and skeleton can indicate which condition your child may have.
• Imaging tests can reveal any defects in the bone formation.
• MRI scan reveals abnormalities in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.

Genetic tests:

• Genetic tests are suggested to confirm the diagnosis. Especially if there is a chance that your daughter may have Turner syndrome, a special lab test may be done that looks at the X chromosomes in blood cells.
• The height of the siblings, parents, grandparents or other blood relatives is also noted to find out whether the average range of height in the family includes short stature.

Hormone tests:

• The tests that measure the levels of growth hormone required for growth and development are also prescribed.

For expert pediatric care and management of short stature, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

The complete healthcare team

Since short stature in children can cause various problems with development and growth, as well as medical complications, several specialists may be involved in screening for specific conditions. This healthcare team changes as your child’s needs change. The pediatrician typically coordinates the care.

The various specialists may include:

• Hormone disorder specialist (endocrinologist).
• Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist (otolaryngologist).
• Specialist in skeletal disorders (orthopedist).
• Specialist in genetic disorders (medical geneticist).
• Heart specialist (cardiologist).
• Eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
• Mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.
• Specialist in conditions of the nervous system (neurologist).
• Dental specialist in correcting problems with teeth alignment (orthodontist).
• Developmental therapist, who specializes in therapy to help your child develop age-appropriate behaviors, social skills and interpersonal skills.
• Occupational therapist, who specializes in therapy to develop everyday skills and to use adaptive products that help with everyday

For expert pediatric care and management of short stature, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

Treatment for short stature in children

It is crucial to note that the aim of the treatment is to help the child to live an independent life. The goal of the treatment is not to increase the height, but to correct or ease problems caused by complications.

Medications

• In 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications, to improve growth in children who have achondroplasia form of dwarfism. These medicines open the growth plates so they can still grow in children 5 years of age and older. In studies, those who took the medicine grew an average of 0.6 inches (1.6 cm). But they should be given only under the doctor’s guidance and recommendation. There is more research being done in curing dwarfism.

Hormone therapy

• Administering shots of a synthetic version of growth hormone may increase final height. Children should receive the shots daily for several years until they reach the average adult height in their family. Treatment may till early adulthood to achieve development.
• Treatment for girls with Turner syndrome also requires estrogen and related hormone therapy to start puberty and lead to adult sexual development. Estrogen replacement therapy usually continues until the average age of menopause.
• Giving growth hormones to children with achondroplasia does not increase final average adult height.

Surgery

Surgical procedures correct problems in people with disproportionate dwarfism include:

• Surgery to correct the direction of the bone growth.
• correcting and stabilising the shape of the spine.
• Increasing the size of the opening in bones of the spine, called vertebrae, to ease pressure on the spinal cord.
• Placing a shunt to remove too much fluid around the brain.

Ongoing health care

• Regular checkups by a healthcare professional can make quality of life better. Since there are many complications, they are managed as they happen.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle and home remedies for children with disproportionate dwarfism include:

• Car seats. Use an infant car seat with firm back and neck supports.
• Infant carriers and play equipment. Stay away from swings, carrying slings, jumper seats and backpack carriers since they don’t support the neck and curve the back into a C shape.
• Ample head and neck support. Hold the head, neck and upper back in a safe and stable position. Padding should be used to provide the right position and support.
• Complications. Watch your child for signs of ear infections or sleep apnea.
• Posture. Encourage good posture by providing a pillow for the lower back and a footstool when your child is sitting.
• Healthy diet and activities. Healthy eating habits should be started early to avoid weight gain later. Take them out to participate in recreational activities as recommended by the healthcare team, such as swimming or bicycling. Stay away from impact sports such as football, wrestling, diving or gymnastics.

Coping and support

If your child has dwarfism, please take steps to help them cope with challenges. Make changes to help them live independently:

• Seek help. Both parents and the child need good support and proper information about raising a child with short stature.
• Change your home. Make changes to your home, so that the child can move around the house independently. Make sure that the furniture is size-appropriate furniture and also everyday household tools.
• Talk with educators. Talk with teachers and others at your child’s school about how it affects your child.
• Talk about teasing. Please have an open communication with your child and teach them how to respond to insensitive questions and bullying.

For expert pediatric care and management of short stature, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).

About Isha Specialty Clinics, Hyderabad

Isha Specialty Clinic is the best Hospital in Manikonda for your heart care and child care. For all your pediatric and newborn care we are a one stop solution. Our expert team of doctors and state of the art labs offer you comprehensive pediatric services. When you visit us you will experience the best paediatric care, children nutrition advice and best cardiologist treatment in Hyderabad. Isha Specialty clinics is located at convenient location in Hyderabad Manikonda in the nearby Gachibowli, Banjara Hills and Toli Chowki, Mehdipatnam, Narsingi, Alkapur township.

Our expert team of doctors

Dr. Swathy Talishetty – MBBS (Osmania), MD (Niloufer) – Child and Newborn Specialist (Paediatric Doctor)

Dr. Swathy Talishetty is a top rated child care specialist. Dr.Swathy is an alumnus of Osmania Medical College where she completed her MBBS in 2007 and later on pursued her MD in Pediatrics from Niloufer Hospital in 2012. Dr Talishetty Swathi has specialized in:-

• Newborn and infant care
• Immunization
• Growth and development monitoring
• Preterm baby management
• Childhood overweight management.

Dr. Swathy Talishetty’s compassionate approach, combined with her in-depth knowledge of pediatric nutrition, enables her to offer comprehensive care that addresses both medical and nutritional needs of children, ensuring their healthy growth and development. Get children treatment and pediatric nutrition consultation with Dr. Swathy Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, nearby Gachibowli and Narsingi areas in Hyderabad.

Dr. Nithin Annarapu – MBBS, MD – General Medicine, DM – Cardiology

Dr. Nithin Annarapu has more than a decade of heart care experience. 18 Years Experience Overall (12 years as heart specialist). Dr. Nithin Annarapu Annarapu is an Interventional Cardiologist in Manikonda Hyderabad and has an experience of 18 years in heart treatment, surgeries and cardiac procedures. He has saved many lives with his excellent treatments for palpitations which are heart related. Dr. Nithin Annarapu is practicing at Isha Speciality Clinics Manikonda, near Gachibowli in Hyderabad. He completed MBBS from Siddhartha Medical College & Research in 2002, MD – General Medicine from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad in 2006 and DM – Cardiology from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad in 2010.

Major Treatments at Isha Speciality Clinics

Pediatric Care

• Newborn and infant care
• Immunization
• Growth and development monitoring
• Preterm baby management
• Childhood overweight management.

Heart treatment

• Mitral valve replacement surgery
• Heart valve replacement and repair
• Coronary Angioplasty
• Coronary Angiogram
• Cardiac catheterization
• Angioplasty

Pain treatment

• Thoracic epidural injections
• Cervical epidural injections
• Intraarticular joint injections
• Nerve Block
• Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy
• Lumbar Epidural Injections

For expert pediatric care and management of short stature, book a consultation today at Isha Specialty Clinic, Hyderabad (Call: 96760 70203).


For emergency care or appointments, contact Dr. Swathi Talishetty at Isha Speciality Clinic, Manikonda – Hyderabad at 96760 7020. Book an appointment today for expert pediatric care.