MUTATION: FBN1

DISORDER NAME: MFS - Marfan syndrome

CLASSIFICATION: Connective Tissue Disorder

MOLECULAR PATHWAY: Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM)


features

CARDIOVASCULAR

Aorta

  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) (Enlargement, ballooning of aorta and dissection)

- Aortic root dissection
- Descending thoracic aortic dissection (before age 50)
- Abdominal aortic dissection (before age 50)

  • Enlarged pulmonary artery without known cause (before age 40)
     
  • Arterial tortuosity observed

Heart

  • Mitral valve prolapse and/or regurgitation (MVP)

- Calcium deposits on MV(before age 40)

  • Aortic regurgitation

Lungs

  • Spontaneous pneumothorax
     
  • Apical blebs – extra large air sacs at the top of the lungs

EYES

  • Ectopia Lentis/Dislocated lenses at all ages
  • Retinal detachment
  • Severe myopia (blurred distance vision)
  • Glaucoma
  • Astigmatism
  • Amblyopia (eye not developing normally in childhood)
  • Early cataracts (sometimes before age 40)

SKELETAL SYSTEM

  • Pectus carinatum
  • Pectus excavatum
  • Arm span greater than height
  • Short torso
  • Scoliosis
  • Positive thumb and wrist sign
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Flat feet
  • Extra deep hip sockets
  • Very flexible joints
  • Arched palate and crowded teeth
  • Facial features: long thin face, deep set and/or down slanting eyes, receding chin

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

  • Dural ectasia – swelling of the sac around the spinal column

SKIN

  • Stretch marks (not related to weight gain or pregnancy)

RECURRENT HERNIA