Marfans Syndrome essays

Marfans Syndrome essays Marfans Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the bodys connective tissue. Connective tissue makes up much of bone, cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Dr. Marfan first recognized Marfans Syndrome in 1896. The disorder affects about 1 in every 10,000 newborns and currently about 40,000 Americans have the disorder. In Marfans syndrome, a mutation in the genes causes a defect in the production of fibrillin. Fibrillin is the main building block in connective tissue. Patients with Marfans Syndrome suffer from many different problems because of their problem with the production of fibrillin. One problem that patients with Marfans Syndrome can have that is related to their weak connective tissue is skeletal abnormalities. Patients who have the disorder are usually very tall and have long limbs. Many times their chest caves inward and they have scoliosis. There are some who say that Abraham Lincoln had the disorder based on his lanky body and the fact that his relatives had the disease although, it has not been proved. Patients with Marfans Syndrome also develop eye problems many times. About 65 percent of patients with the disorder have ectopia lentis. This is where there is a dislocation in the lens of the eye due to weak ligaments within the eye. Marfans Syndrome also increases the chance of nearsightedness, cataracts and glaucoma in the eye. Another major problem with Marfans Syndrome is that many times patients have cardiovascular problems. The connective tissue of the heart and lungs is usually very weak in patients with the disorder. Many times, patients have trouble with the valves in their heart opening and closing. Also, their aortas can swell or can tear. This swelling or tearing usually leads to a leakage in blood when the heart pumps blood. The lungs in the body many times collapse because of weak connective tissue also. Most of the time cardiovascular...