Dwarfism (UK : /ˈdwɔːfɪsəm/ ; US : /ˈdwɔrfɪzəm/) occurs when an individual person or animal is short in stature resulting from a medical condition caused by slow growth.In humans, dwarfism is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches (58 in; 147 cm).he most recognizable and most common form of dwarfism in humans is achondroplasia, which accounts for 70% of dwarfism cases, occurs in 4 to 15 out of 100,000 live births. It produces rhizomelic short limbs, increased spinal curvature, and distortion of skull growth.