Achondroplasia: Little People Big World: Dealing with Dwarfism

Author: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Published: 2009/04/01 - Updated: 2025/05/23
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Informative
Category Topic: Recreation and Entertainment - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This peer-reviewed article, authored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, explores the complexities of living with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, as highlighted by the television show "Little People, Big World". The report details how achondroplasia affects approximately 1 in 30,000 live births and is characterized by short stature and various skeletal complications, often requiring multidisciplinary medical care. It discusses the challenges and mixed outcomes of limb lengthening treatments and growth hormone injections, noting that while these interventions can increase height, they often involve significant time commitments, potential complications, and may not substantially improve physical activity or quality of life.

The article emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis - such as screening infants for stenosis of the foramen magnum - to enable timely surgical intervention and prevent severe developmental delays or life-threatening complications.

The information is authoritative and useful for individuals with disabilities, their families, and healthcare providers, as it offers practical insights into treatment options, underscores the need for coordinated care, and highlights the impact of early intervention on long-term outcomes. Examples include the recommendation for early MRI or CT scans in infants and the management of spinal curvature through bracing or surgery, which can directly improve daily functioning for affected children - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

A popular cable reality television show, Little People, Big World, focuses on the daily lives of short stature individuals. This series bring achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism, into the spotlight.

Main Content

According to a literature review published in the April 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (JAAOS), treating patients with dwarfism is an extremely complex process. Orthopedic surgeons and others caring for people with this disorder should be aware of its many manifestations.

For example, limb lengthening treatments for those living with achondroplasia have been met with mixed results.

"Not only is limb lengthening a huge time commitment for the families involved, but children with achondroplasia are taken out of the environment where they play, interact and have fun to be placed in treatment for several years," said study co-author Michael C. Ain, MD, associate professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. "At the end of the day, these kids may be able to reach a higher shelf, but their level of physical activity in both athletic and sporting events may be very limited or not existent at all."

Some studies have found that height can be gained with growth hormone injections, but the authors question whether the average height increase of six to eight centimeters is worth undergoing five years of daily injections.

Patients undergoing hormone injections see an initial increase in height, but once treatment stops, the height plateaus. These hormone injections may cause or accelerate symptoms of spinal stenosis. Surgical treatments can produce greater increases in height, but also carry a much higher risk of complications.

The authors also found that early diagnosis and treatment of the manifestations of achondroplasia, sometimes even before they become symptomatic, may produce better outcomes for patients later in life. For example, some patients with achondroplasia have stenosis of the foramen magnum - a condition in which the hole in the base of the skull that allows the spinal cord to be connected to the brain, is too small. This compresses the brain and cord, causing developmental delays and may even be fatal.

Symptoms of stenosis of the foramen magnum usually present itself in the first two years of life, but may not appear until later, when developmental delays become apparent. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants with achondroplasia be screened via computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), so that this condition can be treated surgically before it causes further medical problems.

"With so many medical specialties involved, each needs to be aware of all of the symptoms of achondroplasia," stated study co-author Eric D. Shirley, MD, lieutenant commander, Medical Corps, United States Navy, and attending pediatric orthopedic surgeon, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA. "Many of these conditions are interrelated."

Similarly, many children with achondroplasia may also develop thoracolumbar kyphosis. This can be seen when a child seems to slump forward instead of sitting upright. It often diminishes as the child learns to walk, but if it does not, it can result in a severe curvature of the spine and other medical and skeletal conditions. Early interventions such as bracing and increasing one's trunk strength (this is done by keeping a child supported when seated) and in some cases spinal fusion surgery, may be required to ensure that the child can sit and walk properly.

"Quality of life is an important issue for people with achondroplasia," Shirley says. "This is why early and comprehensive treatment is so important."

Disclosure

The authors did not receive any outside funding or grants in support of their research for or preparation of this work. Neither they nor a member of their immediate families received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, division, center, clinical practice, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors, or a member of their immediate families, are affiliated or associated.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and published on 2009/04/01, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.