Marfan

Congenital heart disease is a cardiovascular condition resulting from an abnormality in the structure of the heart. The exact time this defect forms is unknown but it is during the fetal development in the womb. Researchers think the defect could be case partially by genetics and medical conditions of the fetus and the parents. If the baby’s mother had rubella, while pregnant or other conditions such as diabetes could have caused the defect. Some medications that were taken by a pregnant mother could also have caused birth defects. An error on chromosome 22 could also have caused the heart defect. Some symptoms that a person may have a congenital heart may not show up until later in life but many children also have the symptoms. Symptoms of a congenital heart defect are abnormal heartbeat, bluish tint to skin, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, and swelling of body tissues and organs.

One in every 5,000 new borns can inherit this disease that is characterized by harelip, cleft palate, severe defects to of the eyes, brain and circulatory system. Some affected newborns will die within a year.

What do Michael Phelps, Abraham Lincoln, Osama Bin Laden all have in common? They are all diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome which is a disorder of the connective tissues in the body. It is estimated that about 1 in every 3000-5000 people in the world is diagnosed with this disorder (Frey, 2005), that means about 140 000 000 to 233 333 333 people around the world’s population live with the struggles brought by Marfan syndrome. It may not seem like a big deal since so little of the world is diagnosed, but Marfan syndrome can cause some serious life-threatening symptoms. This report will explore the ins and outs of Marfan syndrome, from what it actually is to diagnostic and treatment techniques.

Marfan Syndrome, which is named after Antoine Marfan who first described the disorder in 1896, is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues found throughout the body. This syndrome can affect many different parts of the body, but the most commonly affected are the heart, blood vessels, bones, joints, respiratory system, nervous system, and eyes. Thankfully, a person’s intelligence is never affected. Marfan syndrome affects people from all races and ethnic backgrounds, and this often makes it hard to detect. It is a pretty rare genetic disorder affecting only about 1 in every 5,000 people.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic mutation of the FBN1 gene which codes for a protein that contributes to the connective tissue in the body and releases certain growth hormones (Callewaert et al., 2007). A mutation in this gene contributes to a variety of signs and symptoms usually involving skeletal deformations like long bone overgrowth, causing elongated limbs and spinal conditions like scoliosis and kyphosis (Callewaert et al., 2007). Retina detachment is common in those with Marfan syndrome and cardiovascular complications may include aortic dilation, dissection and rupture and up two thirds of patients develop mitral valve dysfunction (Callewaert et al., 2007). R.C. has experienced detached retinas,

A permanent change in a gene that can be passed on to children. The rare, early-onset familial

While Marji is struggling to find her sense of belonging, now that she is in Vienna she is constantly searching for a replacement family. From all the lessons that her family has taught her she realizes that her grandmother provides insight to never forget who she truly is. Marji, however, does not seem to grasp this teaching easily because she is trying to please others and adapt a sense of belonging. Her grandmother tells her before she leaves “There is nothing worse than bitterness … always keep your dignity and be true to yourself” (150). Marji tries her best to start with her family as identifying as Iranian, however, she finds this challenging because she is having a hard time fitting in. In search of a replacement family, she constantly tries out new things just to fit in and not to be seen as a typical violent Iranian by her peers.

Myopia (nearsightedness) is one of the most common symptoms of the disease. Other symptoms occurring in the eyes include dislocated lens, detached retina, risk of early glaucoma and/or cataracts, and, if not treated, can result in vision loss. Symptoms of the cardiovascular system include a stretched or weakened aorta (aortic dilation or aneurysm) due to defective connective tissue and defects in heart valves. An example of a valve defect is mitral valve prolapse in which one or both cusps of the mitral valve swells or collapses into the left upper atrium when the heart contracts. Cardiovascular symptoms can lead to arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and chest pain. There are also some effects on lungs, albeit not as common as other symptoms, in which the air sacs can become stretched and lead to an increased risk of lung collapse. The nervous system is also affected as dural ectasia, where the dura that covers the spinal fluid stretches and weakens, eventually leading the bones of the spinal column to wear away. Other symptoms are more obvious and affect the skeletal and connective tissue systems. Those with Marfan syndrome commonly have stretch marks and overgrowth of the

Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic disorder that leads to muscle atrophy and eventually death. Diagnosing DMD consists of blood tests, genetic testing, and muscle biopsies. Signs and symptoms begin presenting in toddlers with DMD and progressively worsen throughout life. There is no cure for DMD, and will cause terminal cardiopulmonary complications. Medical interventions consist of corticosteroid treatment, respiratory management, cardiac management, psychological management, and physical therapy interventions.

Marfan syndrome is a genetic illness with significant morbidity and death (1). Prevalence appears to be similar across the world, regardless of gender, and the estimate in the European countries is 1 in 10,000 (2). The average expectancy used to be 32 years, but improved surgery increase life expectancy to approach that of the entire population (3). The level to which individuals are affected differs and those with the syndrome tend to be tall, thin and with long legs, arms, fingers as well as toes (4). It is important to discuss the symptoms, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of the syndrome.

“Abnormal enlargement of the aortic root of the heart, dislocated lenses of the eyes, and a tall lanky body with increased joint mobility, scoliosis, long flat feet, and long fingers…” are some common finding in individuals with Marfan syndrome. (Stanford, 2017) These symptoms can develop at different points in the life span of those affected, and over time the features can worsen and have a negative effect on the body. “This makes it very important for people with Marfan syndrome and related disorders to receive accurate, early diagnosis and treatment.” (Marfan Foundation, 2014) Without the proper diagnosis, the disorder can have potentially life-threatening complications; therefore, the earlier the diagnosis the

There are many genetic disorders in this world. Some are fatal, and some are not even noticeable to the everyday person. One of these genetic disorders is named Marfan Syndrome. This paper will tell you the causes, symptoms, current treatment, prognosis, and current research of Marfan Syndrome.

Making the diagnosis and determining the goals for care has been an issue since children with chronic illness, deformities and congenital abnormalities has had limiting life expectancy. Prognostication for children with such complex problems is extremely challenging, making it difficult for physicians to determine whether or when such

Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are the most prevalent of all birth defects and the leading cause of death in the first year of life, (1) with an annual prevalence ranging from six to twelve affected infants per 1,000 live births. (2)

The diagnosis of the disease, its cause or causes, stage, treatment and prognosis will be sought from the pediatrician. He establishes and explains the connection between the disease and the patient's family history. He prescribes appropriate medicines and medications to alleviate the patient's symptoms. The moral principles surrounding the couple's decision concerning the disease are contributed by the ethicist. He warns against the double-effect situation in this disease condition. He emphasizes that birth defects