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Because of the abnormalities of the patient's fibrillin, the walls of the aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart) are weaker than normal and tend to stretch and bulge out of shape.
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What is the medical term meaning hormonal disorder causing enlargement of the extremities?
Marfan's syndrome is the hormonal disorder that can cause enlargement of the extremities. Acromegaly is the medical term meaning enlargement of the extremities.
Does marfan syndrome affect the aorta?
Yes. Marfan syndrome is a congenital disorder affecting the formation of fibrillin. In Marfan syndrome, the abnormal fibrillin is responsible for many of the findings of the disease. Hyperextensibility/hyperelasticity of joints is one of the hallmark signs. Pectus excavatum is another. People with Marfan syndrome are typically very tall and thin, with very long fingers and toes (arachnodactyly). The fibrillin defect also affects the blood vessels, especially the large arteries, such as the aorta. Disordered fibrillin production causes these arteries to be weaker than normal, predisposing patients with Marfan syndrome to aortic dissections and rupture. This the major cause of death for patients with Marfan syndrome.
What is a Marfan Syndrome?
marfan syndrome is genetic disorder of connective tissue of the body. it cause a mutation of the gene that produces the protein fibrillin.
Can people with Marfan syndrome fly in an airplane?
Yes. A person with Marfan syndrome should have no problem flying in a commercial aircraft. Flights in an unpressurized aircraft are not recommended though, because the changes in altitude can cause a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), a particular risk for people with Marfan syndrome.
How does pectus carinatum impact Marfan syndrome sufferers?
Although pectus carinatum does not cause breathing difficulties, it can cause embarassment about appearance.
What effect does Marfan's syndrome have on the aorta?
Marfan syndrome is a heritable condition that affects the connective tissue. The primary purpose of connective tissue is to hold the body together and provide a framework for growth and development. In Marfan syndrome, the connective tissue is defective and does not act as it should. Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, Marfan syndrome can affect many body systems, including the skeleton, eyes, heart and blood vessels, nervous system, skin, and lungs. Most people with Marfan syndrome have problems associated with the heart and blood vessels. Because of faulty connective tissue, the wall of the aorta (the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body) may be weakened and stretch, a process called aortic dilatation. Aortic dilatation increases the risk that the aorta will tear or rupture, causing serious heart problems or sometimes sudden death. Sometimes, defects in heart valves can also cause problems. In some cases, certain valves may leak, creating a "heart murmur," which a doctor can hear with a stethoscope. Small leaks may not result in any symptoms, but larger ones may cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations (a very fast or irregular heart rate).
What may cause Marfan syndrome?
Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition caused by a genetic mutation. The mutation occurs on chromosome 15 and affects the gene that encodes a protein called fibrillin-1. Over 100 mutations have been described, all of which impair the function of fibrillin-1. The precise reasons for the mutations are unknown. How the mutation manifests as the Marfan syndrome is also uncertain. There is mounting evidence that the fibrillin-1 defect allows for unabated activity of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which causes the clinical manifestations of the syndrome (eg, hyperextensible joints, arachnodactyly, dislocation of the lens, aortic aneurysm). Because the condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, a parent with Marfan syndrome has a 50% chance of passing the defective gene on to his/her offspring. Some diseases are also associated with features that resemble Marfan syndrome. For example, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type III is associated with what's been called a marfanoid habitus -- patients commonly have the elongated axial bones and hyperextensible joints seen in true Marfan syndrome. MEN-III is caused by a mutation in the RET gene on chromosome 10. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern.
What is the genotype of an individual who has Marfan syndrome?
Marfan is an autosomal dominant disorder, which means that if someone inherits a defected gene from either parent, he will have Marfan syndrome. 75% of people with Marfan got it from their parents; the other 25% were the result of random mutations that happened in the first days or weeks of the pregnancy. This syndrome is caused by a mutation in the FBN1 gene on chromosome 15, which is necessary for structural and maintenance of elastic, connective tissue fibers. Everyone has this gene in them. There are over 600 different mutations on FBN1 that can cause Marfan. FBN1 mutations can also result in other disorders as well, like ectopia lentis and MASS Phenotype.
What are the symptoms of marfan syndrome?
Marfan syndrome affects different people in different ways. Some people have only mild symptoms, while others are more severely affected. In most cases, the symptoms progress as the person ages. The body systems most often affected by Marfan syndrome are:Skeleton--People with Marfan syndrome are typically very tall, slender, and loose jointed. Since Marfan syndrome affects the long bones of the skeleton, arms, legs, fingers, and toes may be disproportionately long in relation to the rest of the body. A person with Marfan syndrome often has a long, narrow face, and the roof of the mouth may be arched, causing the teeth to be crowded. Other skeletal abnormalities include a sternum (breastbone) that is either protruding or indented, curvature of the spine (scoliosis), and flat feet.Eyes--More than half of all people with Marfan syndrome experience dislocation of one or both lenses of the eye. The lens may be slightly higher or lower than normal and may be shifted off to one side. The dislocation may be minimal, or it may be pronounced and obvious. Retinal detachment is a possible serious complication of this disorder. Many people with Marfan syndrome are also nearsighted (myopic), and some can develop early glaucoma (high pressure within the eye) or cataracts (the eye's lens loses its clearness).Heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system)--Most people with Marfan syndrome have abnormalities associated with the heart and blood vessels. Because of faulty connective tissue, the wall of the aorta (the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body) may be weakened and stretch, a process called aortic dilatation. Aortic dilatation increases the risk that the aorta will tear (aortic dissection) or rupture, causing serious heart problems or sometimes sudden death. Sometimes, defects in heart valves can also cause problems. In some cases, certain valves may leak, creating a "heart murmur," which a doctor can hear with a stethoscope. Small leaks may not result in any symptoms, but larger ones may cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations (a very fast or irregular heart rate).Nervous system--The brain and spinal cord are surrounded by fluid contained by a membrane called the dura, which is composed of connective tissue. As people with Marfan syndrome get older, the dura often weakens and stretches, then begins to weigh on the vertebrae in the lower spine and wear away the bone surrounding the spinal cord. This is called dural ectasia. These changes may cause only mild discomfort or may lead to radiated pain in the abdomen or to pain, numbness, or weakness of the legs.Skin--Many people with Marfan syndrome develop stretch marks on their skin, even without any weight change. These stretch marks can occur at any age and pose no health risk. However, people with Marfan syndrome are also at increased risk for developing an abdominal or inguinal hernia where a bulge develops that contains part of the intestines.Lungs--Although connective tissue abnormalities make the tiny air sacs within the lungs less elastic, people with Marfan syndrome generally do not experience noticeable problems with their lungs. If, however, these tiny air sacs become stretched or swollen, the risk of lung collapse may increase. Rarely, people with Marfan syndrome may have sleep-related breathing disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea (a sleep disorder characterized by brief periods when breathing stops).
What conditions or diseases can contribute to the formation of bunions?
Various arthritic conditions and several genetic and neuromuscular diseases, such as Down syndrome and Marfan syndrome, cause muscle imbalances that can create bunions from displacement of the first metatarsal and big toe.
Can connective tissue disorders cause valvular heart disease?
certain connective tissue disorders can adversely affect the heart valves, for example, Marfan's syndrome and myxomatous degeneration.
Why do only adult Marfan syndrome sufferers who have protrusio acetabulae?
Although protrusio acetabulae does not cause problems during childhood and adolescence, it can lead to a painful form of arthritis in adult life.
