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Marfan syndrome can affect many parts of the body, including the skeleton, eyes, and heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system).
The severity of the symptoms can vary between individuals with Marfan syndrome. Some people experience a few mild symptoms, whereas others experience more severe symptoms.
The symptoms of Marfan syndrome tend to get more severe as a person gets older.
Someone with Marfan syndrome may have several distinct physical characteristics.
They may be:
If your child is particularly slim or tall for their age, it does not necessarily mean they have Marfan syndrome.
It's a rare syndrome, and your child will usually have a number of other symptoms if they have it.
Other physical characteristics of Marfan syndrome can include:
Marfan syndrome can cause the spine to become abnormally curved to the sides. This is known as scoliosis.
Curvature of the spine can cause long-term backache. In severe cases, it can also make breathing difficult as the spine may press against the heart and lungs.
Spondylolisthesis is where one of the bones in your spine (a vertebra) slips forward over another vertebra.
This usually occurs in the lower spine, and can cause back pain and stiffness.
Anyone can develop spondylolisthesis, but it more commonly affects people with Marfan syndrome.
The dura is the membrane that lines your brain and spinal cord.
Dural ectasia is a condition where the dura becomes weakened and expands outwards.
People with Marfan syndrome are at particular risk of developing dural ectasia.
As the membrane expands, it can press on the vertebrae in your lower back, which can cause:
Many people with Marfan syndrome have some type of vision problem.
Lens dislocation affects half of all people with the syndrome.
This is where the eye's lens, the transparent structure that sits behind the pupil and focuses light, falls into an abnormal position.
Other possible eye-related symptoms of Marfan syndrome include:
Vision problems can affect your driving ability.
You're legally obliged to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive.
See the GOV.UK website for more information and advice about driving with a disability or health condition.
Marfan syndrome can affect the cardiovascular system, which is made up of your heart and blood vessels.
It's particularly serious if your aorta and heart valves are affected.
The aorta is the main artery in the body. It runs from your heart, down the centre of your chest and through your abdomen.
In some people with Marfan syndrome, the walls of the aorta are weak.
This can sometimes cause the aorta to enlarge and balloon, which is known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
In severe cases, the aorta can split (rupture), causing internal bleeding that can lead to death.
Your heart has 4 chambers that pump blood to and from the rest of the body.
To control the flow of blood through your heart's chambers, your heart has 4 valves:
These valves act as 1-way gates, allowing blood to flow through in 1 direction.
In some people with Marfan syndrome, the mitral or tricuspid valves do not close properly and blood leaks back through the valve.
Find out more about common mitral valve problems
The aortic valve may also leak, leading to the main pumping chamber (left ventricle) gradually becoming enlarged.
If your GP thinks you may have Marfan syndrome, you'll be referred to a specialist for testing.
Your heart and blood vessels will be examined for signs of the syndrome.
Stretch marks are pink, red or white streaks in the skin.
They can appear when you gain or lose weight quickly, when you have a growth spurt during childhood, or during pregnancy.
People with Marfan syndrome often develop stretch marks because the tissue in their skin is weakened and the skin is not as elastic as it should be.
If you have Marfan syndrome, stretch marks are most likely to appear on your:
Over time, they'll gradually fade to a silvery colour and will be difficult to see.
