Characteristics
Primordial Dwarfs have very different features than a person without primordial dwarfism. These features include very small bones, organs, and very slow gradual growth. Other characteristics include:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in infancy and early childhood (2-3 years)
- Late closure of the fontanel (soft spot)
- Broad appearing forehead
- Small chin
- Thin upper lip
- Crowding of the teeth or small teeth
- High-pitched voice which usually disappears later in life
Syndactyly (webbing) of the toes. The degree of degree of webbing varies.
Hypospadius (abnormal location of urethral opening)
Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles)
Delayed bone age
Weak muscle tone
(Primordial Dwarfism, 2012).
Each Primordial Dwarf is born with these characteristics and they all progress as the dwarf gets older (Primordial Dwarfism, 2012). Since all of these characteristics worsen, the life expectancy of a primordial dwarf is about 30 years. Even though these characteristics contribute to a short life expectancy, many complications also contribute. For example, a common complication is vascular anomalies which can affect the renewal coronary arteries in adulthood which may be life threatening (Orphan, 2014).
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in infancy and early childhood (2-3 years)
- Late closure of the fontanel (soft spot)
- Broad appearing forehead
- Small chin
- Thin upper lip
- Crowding of the teeth or small teeth
- High-pitched voice which usually disappears later in life
Syndactyly (webbing) of the toes. The degree of degree of webbing varies.
Hypospadius (abnormal location of urethral opening)
Cryptorchidism (undescended testicles)
Delayed bone age
Weak muscle tone
(Primordial Dwarfism, 2012).
Each Primordial Dwarf is born with these characteristics and they all progress as the dwarf gets older (Primordial Dwarfism, 2012). Since all of these characteristics worsen, the life expectancy of a primordial dwarf is about 30 years. Even though these characteristics contribute to a short life expectancy, many complications also contribute. For example, a common complication is vascular anomalies which can affect the renewal coronary arteries in adulthood which may be life threatening (Orphan, 2014).