3 of the Most Common Types of Dwarfism

Achondroplasia: The most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia in Australia affects approximately 1 in 25,000 babies and is evident at birth. People with achondroplasia have relatively long trunk and shortened upper parts of their arms and legs. Other features of achondroplasia include:

a large head with a prominent forehead
a flattened bridge of the nose
protruding jaw
crowded and misaligned teeth
forward curvature of the lower spine
bowed legs
flat, short, broad feet
double-jointedness
trident hands – hands are short with stubby fingers with a separation between the middle and ring fingers

Picture: Actor – Peter Dinklage
You may have seen him in the Movie X-Men Days of Future Past as Dr Bolivar Trask released in 2014 or on the TV Series Game of Thrones as Tyrion Lannister

Trident Hand

Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia (SED): A less common form of dwarfism, SED affects approximately one in 95,000 babies. Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia refers to a group of conditions characterised by a shortened trunk, which may not become apparent until a child is between ages 5 and 10. Other features can include:

Club feet
Cleft palate
Severe osteoarthritis in the hips
Weak hands and feet
Barrel-chested appearance

Picture: Actor – Warwick Davis
You may have seen him in the Movies Willow as Willow or Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone as Professor Filius Flitwick and Griphook

Diastrophic Dysplasia: A rare form of dwarfism, diastrophic Dysplasia occurs in about 1 in 100,000 births. People who have it tend to have shortened forearms and calves (this is known as mesomelic shortening). Other signs can include: