Psychogenic dwarfism (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Psychogenic dwarfism is short stature that results from an environment with constant and extreme stress. Usual signs and symptoms include short stature, weight that is inappropriate for the height, and immature bone age, an adult height around 4 feet (about 122 centimeters). For diagnosis, evaluation of child's growth and develpment environment, appearance examination and measurements of height and weight, hormone tests and imaging technology may be helpful. Treatments for most dwarfism-related conditions don't increase stature but may lessen complications. Children of psychogenic dwarfism may receive hormone therapy for a long time. Prognosis of psyvhogenic dwarfism varies from condition to condition, from person to person. Family support, social networks, advocacy groups and adaptive products enable most patients to address challenges in educational, work and social settings.

What are the symptoms of Psychogenic dwarfism?[edit | edit source]

Signs and symptoms of psychogenic dwarfism vary greatly. Because these disorders affect overall growth, many of them result in poor development in one or more body systems.

• Short stature: Short arms and legs, with particularly short upper arms and upper legs. short fingers, often with a wide separation between the middle and ring fingers.
• Weight that is inappropriate for the height
• Immature bone age, an adult height around 4 feet (about 122 centimeters)

Who is at highest risk?[edit | edit source]

Many studies have demonstrated that an environment with constant and extreme stress is the cause of psychogenic dwarfism for children. Stress releases hormones in the children's bodies such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, engaging what is known as the "fight or flight" response, decreaseing the production of growth hormone (GH), resulting in dyspepsia of nutrients and further affecting growth and development.

When to seek urgent medical care?[edit | edit source]

Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of psychogenic dwarfism.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

• Appearance and measurements: The appearance of your child may assist your pediatrician in making a diagnosis. Further, a measurement of height, weight and head circumference is important for evaluating the growth and development of the child. The chart with your child's data plotted by the pediatrician may identify abnormal growth and expect the growth in the future.
• Evaluation of child's growth and develpment environment: As we know, an environment with constant and extreme stress is the cause of psychogenic dwarfism for children. It is very important to take the history of the child's growth and develpment environment, and assess the child's emotional condition.
• Hormone tests: Assessment of growth hormone level is necessary for a child suspected dwarfism by the appearance and measurements. It always shows a low level of growth hormone in the child.
• Imaging technology: X-ray bone age test is useful to assess delayed maturation of bones, as is the case in growth hormone deficiency. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may identify whether abnormalities of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus exist.

Treatment options[edit | edit source]

Treatments of psychogenic dwarfism include hormone therapy and surgery.

• Removal of stresss, supplying an environment full of love, care and happy for the children to grow and develop.
• Hormone therapy: Children of psychogenic dwarfism may receive daily injections of a synthetic version of growth hormone for several years until they reach a maximum adult height. It may continue throughout adolescence and early adulthood to ensure adult maturation. The treatment may be supplemented with other related hormones if they also are deficient.
• Limb lengthening surgery: This procedure is controversial for many children with psychogenic dwarfism, although it can lengthen the height.

Diseases with similar symptoms[edit | edit source]

• Cretinism
• Hypopituitarism
• Brain tumor

Where to find medical care for Psychogenic dwarfism?[edit | edit source]

Directions to Hospitals Treating Psychogenic dwarfism

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?[edit | edit source]

Prognosis of psychogenic dwarfism varies from condition to condition, from person to person. Most psychogenic dwarfism have good outcomes with hormone therapy. Family support, social networks, advocacy groups and adaptive products enable most people with psychogenic dwarfism to address challenges in educational, work and social settings.

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Making an environment full of love, care and happy for the children to grow and develop. Do not put so much stress on them, always encourage and help them when they are frustrated.

Sources[edit | edit source]

http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/dwarfism/DS01012/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print

http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Psychogenic_dwarfism

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/bones/dwarfism.html

http://www.lpaonline.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=84634&orgId=lpa Template:WH Template:WS