Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

DVT
Deep vein thrombosis.
dwarfism
Abnormally short stature, which may
be due to a variety of causes. Some forms of
dwarfism are hereditary. The Little People of
America (LPA) defines dwarfism as a medical or
genetic condition that usually results in an adult
height of 148 cm (4 feet 10 inches) or shorter,
among both men and women. Also known as
nanism. Dwarfism is now more correctly called
short stature. See also 
achondroplasia; dwarfism,
pituitary; hypochondroplasia; Seckel syndrome.
dwarfism, achondroplastic
See 
achondroplasia.
dwarfism, hypochondroplastic
See 
hypo-
chondroplasia.
dwarfism, pituitary
Dwarfism caused by a lack
of growth hormone, usually due to malfunction of
the anterior pituitary gland. Children with growth
hormone deficiency may grow normally for the first
2 to 3 years of life, but they then fall behind their
peers in height. Unlike those with other forms of
dwarfism, those with pituitary dwarfism are nor-
mally proportioned. Pituitary dwarfism can be
treated with injections of human growth hormone
during childhood. Also known as hypopituitary
dwarfism. See also 
pituitary, anterior.
dwarfism, rhizomelic
Dwarfism with shorten-
ing especially of the ends of the limbs. See also
achondroplasia; dwarfism.
dwarfism, Seckel-type
See 
Seckel syndrome.
dwarfism, thanatophoric
A form of short-
limbed (micromelic) dwarfism that usually causes
death within the first few hours after birth. The bones
of the arms and legs are very short. The ribs are also
extremely short, and the rib cage is small, leading to
respiratory insufficiency and death. See also 
achon-
droplasia; dwarfism; hypochondroplasia.