a genetic abnormality resulting in short stature

Having short stature means being significantly below average in height (i.e. in the fifth percentile) compared to others of the same age and gender. It can be caused by a range of conditions such as achondroplasia (also known as dwarfism, although this is not a preferred term), osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), Noonan syndrome, and congenital hypothyroidism. However, short stature is not always caused by a medical condition - sometimes it is simply a person's inherited height. People of short stature may benefit from adaptations to their home and workplace, such as lowered light switches and strategically placed stools.