Question
I want to know if dwarfism is genetic. I am already 16 years old but I am still around 14 years tall. I’ve heard that boys can still grow until they are 20, so I want to grow taller. I’ve been exercising, running, and playing basketball recently, but I don’t feel like there’s any effect. Is dwarfism genetic?
Answer
Dwarfism can be categorized into primary and secondary types. Primary dwarfism has an unknown cause, often due to congenital developmental abnormalities or genetic diseases. In primary pituitary dwarfism, the pituitary changes include congenital absence of the pituitary, congenital hypoplasia of the pituitary with a lack or increase of acidophilic cells. There may also be atrophy, fibrosis, or cystic changes in the pituitary accompanied by varying degrees of atrophy in the adrenal glands, thyroid gland, and adrenal cortex. In addition to pituitary changes, there is often a delay in the growth of internal organs and bones in the juvenile stage.