The Effects of Marfan Syndrome Marfan syndrome: what is it? It is defined as a rare genetic disorder, which affects over 20,000 people, at least, in the United States. This is a ratio of two people out of 10,000. It has an affect on the skeletal, ocular (visual), and cardiovascular (heart) systems (Marfan Syndrome 202). But, what specific effect does Marfan syndrome have on the body and personal development? Obvious physical "deformities" are noted in diagnosing Marfan syndrome. One such physical "deformity" is arachnodactyly, otherwise known as spidery fingers(Kahn) stature, averaging 6'1", with long limbs. It is said the length of the arms alone, if held out, may almost equal the size of the body (Morse). Other effects are convex neck along with scoliosis (curved spine) and a short rib cage. The rib cage can either be convex, otherwise known as pigeon breasts, or concave, known as tunnel chest (Marfan Syndrome 203). There are also other effects suffered by Marfan patients that are not so obvious. Marfan syndrome effects the connective tissue, which protects the joints in our bodies. Because of this weak connective tissue, a Marfan patient is very flexible, sometimes to the cost of constant disconnection of the bones. As mentioned before, the lenses within the eye may become dislocated, whether naturally or by physical contact to the head, and cause severe near-sightedness. Corrective lenses can be made to attempt correction to this problem. The most severe effect Marfan syndrome has on a person is an aortic aneurysm (Morse). The aortic valve on a Marfan patient is very weak and is likely to rupture. Rarely can a Marfan patient go without some type of surgery to the lungs or aortic valve. These heart problems can be fatal and cause 93% of the deaths experienced by Marfan patients (Kahn). The average lifespan of an untreated Marfan patient is 32-48 years (Morse). Marfan syndrome can also have an effect on an individual him/herself. When the disorder is diagnosed, patients are encouraged not to lift heavy items or to participate in strenuous activities, such as any sport. Also, patients are warned to avoid activities where something makes contact with the head (Marfan Syndrome 203). This may cause the lenses in the eyes to dislocate. Women with Marfan syndrome are at more risk. A woman's heart naturally takes on more strain than a man's heart. An expecting mother with Marfan syndrome is often monitored very carefully. Pregnancy causes a natural strain on a woman's heart. Since Marfan syndrome weakens the heart, pregnancy may cause an aortic aneurysm or a rupture (Marfan Syndrome 204). If a parent is suffering or carrying the disorder, there is a 50% chance of the disorder becoming prevalent in his/her children. These percentiles may vary, depending on family history. Children also suffer from the effects of Marfan syndrome. Diagnosis in early childhood is uncommon. Children who are unquestionably diagnosed at birth have a slim chance for survival (Morse). At most, the most prevalent symptom of the disorder is arachnodactyly. Children, if they survive, are often spending time having their eyes and hearts checked at regular intervals. However, aside from these physical problems associated with Marfan syndrome, a child may experience emotional problems as well. Children can be cruel to those they find different. A child with Marfan syndrome is most likely to be taller than his/her classmates. Teasing is often an effect on a child with the disorder. Adults, teachers more so can often be to blame for some effects. Teachers, seeing a child with Marfan syndrome, via tall structure and contented facial features often believe the child to be more mature and expect more of that child. The disorder may have an effect on a child's social development as well. As mentioned before, people who suffer from Marfan syndrome are encouraged to not participate in sports, which may cause harm to the heart, or lead to a blow to the head (Marfan Syndrome 203). This can limit a child to certain activities and/or may cause a child great difficulty growing up, perhaps causing isolation. The effects of Marfan syndrome greatly outnumber the causes. Research is still being constructed to better understand this puzzling disorder. Despite the effects, however, there is still a chance for a Marfan patient to live a semi-normal and healthy life. E-mail Me Follow Me Back To Essays
Marfan syndrome: what is it? It is defined as a rare genetic disorder, which affects over 20,000 people, at least, in the United States. This is a ratio of two people out of 10,000. It has an affect on the skeletal, ocular (visual), and cardiovascular (heart) systems (Marfan Syndrome 202). But, what specific effect does Marfan syndrome have on the body and personal development?
Obvious physical "deformities" are noted in diagnosing Marfan syndrome. One such physical "deformity" is arachnodactyly, otherwise known as spidery fingers(Kahn) stature, averaging 6'1", with long limbs. It is said the length of the arms alone, if held out, may almost equal the size of the body (Morse). Other effects are convex neck along with scoliosis (curved spine) and a short rib cage. The rib cage can either be convex, otherwise known as pigeon breasts, or concave, known as tunnel chest (Marfan Syndrome 203).
There are also other effects suffered by Marfan patients that are not so obvious. Marfan syndrome effects the connective tissue, which protects the joints in our bodies. Because of this weak connective tissue, a Marfan patient is very flexible, sometimes to the cost of constant disconnection of the bones. As mentioned before, the lenses within the eye may become dislocated, whether naturally or by physical contact to the head, and cause severe near-sightedness. Corrective lenses can be made to attempt correction to this problem. The most severe effect Marfan syndrome has on a person is an aortic aneurysm (Morse). The aortic valve on a Marfan patient is very weak and is likely to rupture. Rarely can a Marfan patient go without some type of surgery to the lungs or aortic valve. These heart problems can be fatal and cause 93% of the deaths experienced by Marfan patients (Kahn). The average lifespan of an untreated Marfan patient is 32-48 years (Morse).
Marfan syndrome can also have an effect on an individual him/herself. When the disorder is diagnosed, patients are encouraged not to lift heavy items or to participate in strenuous activities, such as any sport. Also, patients are warned to avoid activities where something makes contact with the head (Marfan Syndrome 203). This may cause the lenses in the eyes to dislocate. Women with Marfan syndrome are at more risk. A woman's heart naturally takes on more strain than a man's heart. An expecting mother with Marfan syndrome is often monitored very carefully. Pregnancy causes a natural strain on a woman's heart. Since Marfan syndrome weakens the heart, pregnancy may cause an aortic aneurysm or a rupture (Marfan Syndrome 204). If a parent is suffering or carrying the disorder, there is a 50% chance of the disorder becoming prevalent in his/her children. These percentiles may vary, depending on family history.
Children also suffer from the effects of Marfan syndrome. Diagnosis in early childhood is uncommon. Children who are unquestionably diagnosed at birth have a slim chance for survival (Morse). At most, the most prevalent symptom of the disorder is arachnodactyly. Children, if they survive, are often spending time having their eyes and hearts checked at regular intervals. However, aside from these physical problems associated with Marfan syndrome, a child may experience emotional problems as well.
Children can be cruel to those they find different. A child with Marfan syndrome is most likely to be taller than his/her classmates. Teasing is often an effect on a child with the disorder. Adults, teachers more so can often be to blame for some effects. Teachers, seeing a child with Marfan syndrome, via tall structure and contented facial features often believe the child to be more mature and expect more of that child. The disorder may have an effect on a child's social development as well. As mentioned before, people who suffer from Marfan syndrome are encouraged to not participate in sports, which may cause harm to the heart, or lead to a blow to the head (Marfan Syndrome 203). This can limit a child to certain activities and/or may cause a child great difficulty growing up, perhaps causing isolation.
The effects of Marfan syndrome greatly outnumber the causes. Research is still being constructed to better understand this puzzling disorder. Despite the effects, however, there is still a chance for a Marfan patient to live a semi-normal and healthy life.
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