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"Midget" is an outdated term*. "Dwarfism" is the medical term for any adult under 58 inches tall, and the preferred popular term is "little people."
Over 70% of dwarfism is caused by achondroplasia, which results in abnormally short arms and legs with a normal-sized head and torso, but other types of dwarfism do not affect bodily proportions to the same degree. People with all forms of dwarfism, like everyone else, stop growing when the growth plates at the ends of the long bones of the body fuse shut. After that, there are no medications, hormones, or diet supplements that will allow further increase in height, and the only treatment is surgical (break the leg bones, then stretch the leg and let new bone fill the gap, then repeat a few times).
* When I was a kid (a number of decades ago), my grandmother called little people with near-normal proportions "midgets" and used the word "dwarf" for persons with achondroplasia, and a few people may still think in these terms.
Over 70% of dwarfism is caused by achondroplasia, which results in abnormally short arms and legs with a normal-sized head and torso, but other types of dwarfism do not affect bodily proportions to the same degree. People with all forms of dwarfism, like everyone else, stop growing when the growth plates at the ends of the long bones of the body fuse shut. After that, there are no medications, hormones, or diet supplements that will allow further increase in height, and the only treatment is surgical (break the leg bones, then stretch the leg and let new bone fill the gap, then repeat a few times).
* When I was a kid (a number of decades ago), my grandmother called little people with near-normal proportions "midgets" and used the word "dwarf" for persons with achondroplasia, and a few people may still think in these terms.
tags: dwarfism
Dwarfism is a medical condition where a person is extremely short with disproportionate body parts. A midget is a condition where a person is extremely short, and can be caused by genetic conditions or nutrition deficiency. Body parts remain in normal proportion in midgets.
Midget is considered a pejorative term, the preferable term is "little people". Dwarf is considered an acceptable term for those with dwarfism.
The shortness in little people can be treated with hormones.
The shortness in dwarves cannot be treated with hormones, but is sometimes treated with surgery.
Midget is considered a pejorative term, the preferable term is "little people". Dwarf is considered an acceptable term for those with dwarfism.
The shortness in little people can be treated with hormones.
The shortness in dwarves cannot be treated with hormones, but is sometimes treated with surgery.
Voted as best: easyeboy
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