By: Teresa Kooima
and BrAxToN ElLiOtT
#Marfan #Syndrome
#Swaq
Background/History
Antoine Marfan discovered the disease in
1896
 He was a pediatrician working in a hospital.
He first diagnosed his patient who had
abnormally long and flexible fingers and
limbs
 It is named after Antoine Marfan

What Happens to Those who
Have Marfan Syndrome?
About 90 percent of patients that have
Marfan syndrome have changes in their
heart or blood vessels.
 Very long limbs and their spine curves in
as well as their chest being concave.
 The biggest problem with Marfan
syndrome is weakness of the aorta,
which is the body’s largest artery.
 Life expectancy is about 70-74 years.

Continued…

There is no cure for Marfan Syndrome,
but they can get treatment from a
cardiologist and ophthalmologist (eye
specialist) and an orthopedist.
How is it Passed On?
In 65-70% it is passed from a parent
 The disorder does not occur on the sex
chromosome so it is not gender related.
 It is a dominant autosomal tissue
disorder.
 There can be a spontaneous case when
the Father much older than the mother.
 It does not vary with ethnicity

Other Interesting Information
Abraham Lincoln, Michael Phelps, and
Osama Bin Laden all have/had Marfan
Syndrome.
 It is found 1 time in every 5,000 to
10,000 births

Works Cited
“Marfan’s Syndrome.” Teenshealth.
Nemour Inc. 1995-2003. Web 19 Feb
2013.
 “Marfan Syndrome and Aortic Disorders.”
Stanford Hospital and Clinics. 2013.
Web 19 Feb 2013.
 “Treating Marfan Syndrome: an
Overview.” Clinaero. eMedTV. 20062013. Web 19 Fed 2013.
