Chance of Having a Dwarf Child

What are my chances of having a baby with dwarfism?

 

We frequently see incoming search queries related to people asking questions such as What are the chances of having a dwarf baby? and Do dwarf parents always have dwarf children? Since there is a lot of interest in this topic, here is our attempt at making this understandable. (A quick reminder: dwarf or little person is the preferred term, not midget).

Autosomal Dominant Disorders

These types of dwarfism only require one parent to pass on the gene (or through a random mutation at conception). Some examples are achondroplasia, pseudoachondroplasia, hypochondroplasia, and SEDc.

Two Average Height Parents (no history of dwarfism)

  • Approximately 1 in 25,000 (0.004%) chance of a child with dominant dwarfism

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Pregnancy as a Woman with Dwarfism

Finally getting to this subject, as it has been a discussion item on many boards and asked by many LP women and couples in our community. I would be happy to answer any more questions from our/my experience. There are just so many questions about the subject, it’s easier to leave it as just a Q & A.

Was finding maternity clothes difficult because of being an LP?

I didn’t find it to be difficult finding maternity clothes, personally. But, we are all different shapes and sizes in the LP world. Also, my taste is different than others. My style is pretty laid back, funky and comfortable. Also, I like to keep things affordable. Though, if you are in an office environment that requires you to wear business attire, it may be more difficult. When I was working for a university in the front line and not behind the scenes, I kept my attire mostly monochromatic with black, blues, greys, browns, and whites. It’s also very slim looking! I bought a couple of maternity pants in neutral colors, got them hemmed and mixed them up with my regular tops/non-maternity pants during the 1st and 2nd trimester. I had some dresses already on hand that either had an empire waste or a stretchy/loose fitting cut. I took these and mixed them with my maternity pants, especially if they were dresses on the short side. The product was a very chic, black or charcoal grey ensemble with low flat heels. On Casual Fridays, I bought some dark maternity jeans and paired it with a black or grey top, layering it with a maternity tank top as I got to be rounder. These were my must haves for LP maternity style:

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Custom Kettler Bike Modification


Kettler Oceana

Our Physical Therapist at CCS modified a Kettler Kettrike Oceana for our dwarf child. We’ve received multiple requests for details on how this modification was performed, so below are some pictures to assist with doing the same for your child.  Our son has a 9″ inseam and is on the 3rd percentile (height for weight) on the Achondroplasia Growth Chart.  So as you can see, even with the smallest of LP children, you can modify this store bought bike without welding or major modifications.

In addition to the tricycle, our therapist also used a set of foot cups and pedal blocks. These attach onto the existing Kettler pedals and have velcro straps to help keep your child’s feet in place. They are removable when no longer needed. One place to buy these is Amtryke as they make customized Kettler bikes for children with special needs.

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Halloween Costumes for Short Children

Rubie's baby boys Superman Party Supplies, Multi Color, 0-9 Months US We always loved Halloween growing up and it continues to be a favorite holiday among many children. Unfortunately for those of us in the LP world, it can be difficult to find a costume that fits well. There are so many selections available for everybody from infants to adults online and in the mall, but they’re built for the average (average height) person! Here’s some tips we’ve found from our past experiences:

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MRI and Anesthesia: What to Expect

Our dwarf son has had multiple MRI’s and CT scans, so we’ve had some extensive experience with anesthesia. In addition, we have had MRI’s and CT scans done as adult LPs. Here’s what you can expect for MRIs without contrast:

The length of the scheduled time for an MRI will be much longer than the actual imaging requires. From getting them out of street clothes and dressed to going under anesthesia and MRI imaging then recovery, it could take an hour or two. They don’t normally allow anyone else in the room, but parents usually are allowed to stay so you can ask. Anesthesia would just be general by gas or injection, just a little. Either way, they usually determine the dosage by weight. They will put earplugs in his ears because even though he’s under anesthesia, your child will be able to hear it. IT IS VERY LOUD!

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