Genetic Causes of dwarfism
"It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties." -Abigail Adams
Most causes of dwarfism are genetic disorders, but some causes are yet to be discovered by modern day scientists. The three main causes of dwarfism are achondroplasia, turner syndrome, and growth hormone deficiency. Other causes of dwarfism can include poor nutrition.
achondroplasiaAchondroplasia is caused by the combination of one normal gene and a mutated gene. People with achondroplasia are 80% of the time born to average sized parents. But, people with achondroplasia can pass on the gene to their children.
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turner syndromeTurner syndrome is the omission or severe alteration of the X chromosome in the sperm or egg cell. The X chromosome is a factor in deciding the gender of the child. A female has two X chromosomes, and a male has an X and a Y chromosome. Females with Turner syndrome only have one complete copy of the X chromosome.
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growth hormone deficiencyThe cause of growth hormone deficiency can be gene mutation or injury. Although for most people the cause of growth hormone deficiency is untraceable. Another cause of growth hormone disorder is a tumor in the pituitary gland of the brain.
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