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Primordial Dwarfism
Estimates of the number of individuals with dwarfism in the United States range from 100,000 to 500,000. Most cases of short stature are caused by skeletal or endocrine disorders. Including all known types, there are currently over 200 types of dwarfism, primordial dwarfism included. PRIMORDIAL DWARFISM (PD) IS A DIAGNOSTIC CATEGORY INCLUDING VARIOUS SPECIFIC TYPES OF SEVERE PROPORTIONATE DWARFISM IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS ARE SMALL FOR THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL AGE FROM THE VERY BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. Individuals with primordial dwarfism usually come to attention even before they are born. Most are diagnosed by ultrasound as small for gestational age (SGA) or as having intra uterine growth retardation (IUGR). Consequently, they are born at extremely low birth weights (less than 4 pounds). After birth, growth occurs at an extremely slow rate leaving affected individuals years behind their peers in size. Individuals with primordial dwarfism measure well below the 3rd percentile on standardized growth charts. The number of possible syndromes being included within this category is constantly changing due to a combination of advances in research and the complexity surrounding many of these conditions. To explain further... Within some of the types of primordial dwarfism, there has been considerable debate and significant confusion over which clinical findings constitute a particular syndrome. In general, each type of dwarfism is defined by its own physical, mental and developmental findings. In the many forms of primordial dwarfism, these are not so clearly defined and separated. In addition to the severity of growth delay itself, many of the health findings vary widely. Many affected individuals are generally referred to as having of primordial dwarfism because specific diagnosis within the category of primordial dwarfism is difficult. FROM PRIMORDIALDWARFISM.COM
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