Restricted growth (dwarfism)

Symptoms of restricted growth

The main symptom of restricted growth is being short. It's sometimes defined as being less than 147 centimetres (4 feet 10 inches) tall as an adult.

Restricted growth can be:

• proportionate, where your arms and legs are the expected size compared to the rest of your body
• disproportionate, where parts of your body grow differently (for example, having short arms and legs compared to the rest of your body)

Symptoms of restricted growth might be noticed when a baby is born, or later when a child is not growing as expected for their age.

You or your child may also have other symptoms, depending on what's causing the restricted growth.

Causes of restricted growth

Restricted growth is usually genetic, meaning it is caused by the genes passed on from your parents.

This can just be because your parents are short themselves, or because of a genetic condition.

Restricted growth can also be caused by hormone deficiencies or poor diet (malnutrition).

Causes of restricted growth include:

• a lack of the hormone that controls growth (growth hormone deficiency)
• rare genetic conditions such as Turner syndrome, Noonan syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome
• problems affecting bone development (skeletal dysplasias), such as achondroplasia

How restricted growth is diagnosed

Restricted growth is often diagnosed when a baby is born. Sometimes it's not diagnosed until later, when a child is not growing as expected for their age.

If a doctor thinks you or your child may have restricted growth, they may recommend tests such as:

• blood tests
• genetic tests
• X-rays

Screening in pregnancy

If you're more likely to have a baby with restricted growth, for example because you or someone in your family has a genetic condition, you may be offered screening tests before you give birth.

Treatment for restricted growth

The main treatment for restricted growth is growth hormone medicine.

Surgery to increase the length of your arms or legs is sometimes done, but this is rare.

You may also need treatment for other symptoms of your condition.

Growth hormone

Growth hormone is used to increase height in children with restricted growth, or children who are not growing as expected for their age.

It can treat many different types of restricted growth, but it is not normally used to treat a problem with bone development (such as achondroplasia and other skeletal dysplasias).

Growth hormone medicines include:

• somatropin – a daily injection used to treat many causes of restricted growth
• somatrogon – a weekly injection, only used if you have a lack of growth hormone (growth hormone deficiency)

How well treatment works depends on what's causing the restricted growth. Treatment usually continues until your child stops growing or reaches their target height.

Treatment for skeletal dysplasias

If you have a skeletal dysplasia such as achondroplasia, treatment usually aims to relieve any other symptoms you have, rather than increase your height.

Treatments you may need include:

• physiotherapy for problems with movement and pain
• orthodontics for problems with your teeth
• treatment for ear infections and sleep apnoea
• surgery, for example to straighten bowed legs, or to straighten or reduce pressure on your spine

How restricted growth affects your life

How restricted growth affects your life depends on what causes it, what other symptoms you have, and your treatment.

With treatment, some people with restricted growth conditions reach an average or close to average adult height. But others will be significantly below average height as an adult.

Most people with restricted growth conditions have an average life expectancy. But some restricted growth conditions can affect how long you live.

Everyday life with restricted growth

If you're much shorter than most people, you may need adaptations to help you with:

• doing everyday activities at home
• getting around and driving
• accessing education and work
• finding clothes that fit
• taking part in sports and other activities

Depending on how your condition affects you, you may be eligible for disability benefits to help with the costs of adaptations and support.

Help and support for restricted growth

If you or your child have restricted growth, health professionals will be there to support you.

You may also find it helpful to get support from other people with restricted growth, or parents of children with restricted growth.

National charities that can offer support and information include:

• Little People UK – support, information and social events for people with restricted growth
• Restricted Growth Association – information and resources for people with restricted growth
• Child Growth Foundation – a support line, information and social events for families affected by growth conditions