A Childhood Marked by Short Stature
Adam Rainer was born in Graz, Austria, in 1899. As a child and teenager, he was exceptionally short. At age 18, during a medical examination for military service in World War I, he measured only 4 feet 6.3 inches (138 cm) tall. He was classified as too short and weak for duty.
An Unprecedented Growth Spurt
In his early 20s, Rainer’s height began to increase rapidly. By the time he was in his early 30s, he had grown to approximately 7 feet 2 inches (218 cm). Doctors diagnosed him with acromegaly, a disorder caused by a tumor on his pituitary gland, leading to excessive growth hormone production.
A Life of Medical Complications
Rainer’s sudden and extreme growth caused severe health problems. His spine curved, making it difficult for him to stand upright. He eventually became bedridden and lost his eyesight in one eye, along with partial hearing loss.
The Final Years
By the time of his death in 1950, Rainer had grown to about 7 feet 8 inches (234 cm). He remains the only known person to have been classified as both a dwarf and a giant in his lifetime.
Adam Rainer’s life is one of the most unusual medical cases ever recorded. Born in 1899, he was extremely short as a teenager but later experienced an extreme and rare growth spurt. In a matter of years, he went from being too small for military service to towering over most.🧵 pic.twitter.com/ySQoCYPn8L
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 18, 2025