Itabaianinha Explained

-11.2739°N -37.79°W

Itabaianinha is a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Sergipe. In 2020, its population was 42,166, and its area is 493 km².^[1]

Itabaianinha is noted for its large dwarf population. It is sometimes called "a cidade dos anões" ("the city of dwarfs").^[2] The dwarfism is of the proportionate type and arises from a rare genetic mutation.^[3] The population probably originated through intrafamily marriages. The condition has been shown^[4] to have no effect on normal lifespan. In the late 1990s many residents of Itabaianinha under 15 years started receiving hormonal treatment. The population of dwarfs is dwindling, with only an estimated one hundred remaining, mostly in the village of Carretéis, ten miles from Itabaianinha center.^[5]

Notes and References

1. https://cidades.ibge.gov.br/brasil/se/itabaianinha/panorama IBGE 2020
2. Web site: Gonzalez-Ramirez. Andrea. Inside The City With The World's Largest Population Of People With Dwarfism. Refinery29. 2016-09-01. 2021-06-04.
3. Hayashida. CY. Gondo. RG. Ferrari. C. Toledo. SP. Salvatori. R. Levine. MA. Ezabella. MC. Abelin. N. Gianella-Neto. D. Wajchenberg. BL. Familial growth hormone deficiency with mutated GHRH receptor gene: clinical and hormonal findings in homozygous and heterozygous individuals from Itabaianinha.. European Journal of Endocrinology. June 2000. 142. 6. 557–63. 10822217.
4. Web site: Human Growth Hormone: Not a Life Extender After All?. Johns Hopkins Medicine. 26 January 2010.
5. Web site: Paolini. Giulia Valentina. Pitzalis. Bruno. City of Dwarfs. Narratively. 19 November 2014.