Common questions

What are 5 of the characteristics and symptoms of Marfan syndrome?

What are 5 of the characteristics and symptoms of Marfan syndrome?

Marfan syndrome features may include:

  • Tall and slender build.
  • Disproportionately long arms, legs and fingers.
  • A breastbone that protrudes outward or dips inward.
  • A high, arched palate and crowded teeth.
  • Heart murmurs.
  • Extreme nearsightedness.
  • An abnormally curved spine.
  • Flat feet.

Does Marfan syndrome affect a certain gender?

Marfan syndrome affects males and females in equal numbers and occurs worldwide with no ethnic predisposition. The prevalence has been estimated to be 1 in 5-10,000 individuals in the general population.

What is the mortality rate of Marfan syndrome?

Results: Five and 10 year survival after diagnosis was 95% and 88%, and the five and 10 year complication free survival was 78% and 66%, respectively.

Does Marfan syndrome cause mental retardation?

Marfan’s syndrome is sometimes confused with homocystinuria. Mental retardation is a characteristic feature of homocystinuria, and not of Marfan’s syndrome. Sporadic cases of Marfan’s syndrome and various degrees of mental retardation have been reported [9].

What is Marfanoid?

‘Marfanoid’ was used to describe males who were initially ascertained on account of mental retardation (366). Those affected were not actually tall, but were slender, had elongated arms, and had characteristic craniofacial features of a long narrow face, retrognathia, and a highly arched palate.

Can a short person have Marfan syndrome?

Not everyone with Marfan syndrome is tall (some are tall for their family and some are, in fact, short!),but this blog may resonate with many of you.

How long can you live with Marfan syndrome?

One in 10 patients may have a high risk of death with this syndrome due to heart problems. Despite the high risk for Marfan related cardiovascular problems, the average life expectancy of those with Marfan syndrome is nearly 70 years. The life expectancy in this syndrome has increased to greater than 25% since 1972.

Can you be short with Marfan syndrome?

How does Marfan syndrome affect your connective tissue?

Causes – Marfan Syndrome. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder. A mutation, or change, in the gene that controls how the body makes fibrillin causes Marfan syndrome. Fibrillin is a protein that plays a major role in your body’s connective tissue.

What are the chances of getting Marfan syndrome?

Each child of an affected parent has a 50-50 chance of inheriting the defective gene. In about 25 percent of the people who have Marfan syndrome, the abnormal gene doesn’t come from either parent. In these cases, a new mutation develops spontaneously. Marfan syndrome affects men and women equally and occurs among all races and ethnic groups.

How is the FBN1 gene related to Marfan syndrome?

Inheritance Pattern for Marfan Syndrome. This image shows how FBN1 genes are inherited. A person inherits two copies of the FBN1 gene, one from each parent. If one parent has Marfan syndrome, each child has a 50 percent chance of inheriting a mutated FBN1 gene and having Marfan syndrome.

Is there a cure or treatment for Marfan syndrome?

Marfan syndrome has no cure. However, treatments can help delay or prevent complications, especially when started early. Marfan syndrome can affect many parts of your body, including your heart, bones and joints, eyes, nervous system, and lungs. The type of treatment you receive will depend on your signs and symptoms.

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Ruth Doyle