Marfan Syndrome
What is it?
Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of connective tissue. Connective tissue is the tissue that strengthens the body's structure. It affects the eyes, skin, bones, and heart. Connective tissue also helps the body grow and develop properly. People with Marfan syndrome have long arms, legs, and fingers, tall and thin body type, curved spine, chest that sticks out or in, flexible joints, flat feet, crowed teeth, and/or stretch marks on their skin that is not related to weight gain or loss. These symptoms may appear at any age and get worse as they get older. Marfan syndrome is affected with chromosome 15. It is a dominate gene. About 1 in 5,000 people have Marfan syndrome. But it doesn't matter what gender or race you are. There is a 50 percent chance that a person with Marfan syndrome will pass it down to their child if they have one.