Is Dwarfism a Congenital Disease?

Question

The child has a normal body type but grows slowly, shorter than peers, and even shorter than children a few years younger. Parents are concerned whether the child has dwarfism and whether it is related to generational inheritance.

Answer

Children with dwarfism typically have a uniform body type but grow at a slower pace, with the most common cause being growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Other possible reasons include environmental and psychological factors, Turner’s syndrome caused by chromosomal abnormalities, and dwarfism resulting from chronic diseases such as malnutrition, chronic kidney disease, congenital heart disease, and chronic asthma. Therefore, dwarfism is not necessarily a congenital disease.