Marfan's Syndrome
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Definition of Marfan's Syndrome
Some common names for Marfan's syndrome is MFS for short.
Parts of the Body that are affected.
It affects the: Heart, blood vessels, bones, joints, eyes, and lungs. Bones grow longer and are not the normal shape. Eyes are not as strong and some go blind. The lungs will collapse in most cases, most victims will have sleep apnea. The syndrome will weaken the aorta greatly causing aortic dilation. The cartilage between bones will grow to thin causing bones to scrape against each other, damaging the bone.
Aorta dilation.
Joints have very little resistance.
Collapsed vs. full lung
How is the disorder is inherited?
The syndrome is autosomal not sex-linked, meaning, that it is a condition transferred through one of the other 22 pairs of chromosomes and can be seen in boys and girls. Chromosome 15 is the defected gene that causes Marfan's Syndrome. The production of the protein called fibrillin is increased causing abnormal skin and bone growth. This disorder is considered a dominant inheritance, meaning, that the victim has a 50% chance of passing it along to their offspring.
How is Marfan's Syndrome diagnosed & treated?
As of now, there are no known cures, medications, or prevention to Marfan's Syndrome. Although the effect it has on the heart and lungs can be slowed enough that the victim lives further than normal. All it takes to be diagnosed with the disease is a physical exam from a doctor.
Who's more likely to get the disease?
Marfan's Syndrome is not particular in any ethnic group. But, the odds of inheriting the disease is a 50% chance and 1 out of 5000 people have the disorder.
Are they even researching it???
Doctors and specialists are trying to find a cure/prevention to it.
Marfan Syndrome Examination - Signs & Symptoms Video Animation