Pediatric Marfan Syndrome

Specific treatment for Marfan syndrome will be determined by your child's health care provider based on:

• Your child's age, overall health and medical history
• Extent of the disorder
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Your opinion or preference

At the present time, there is no cure for the disorder. Treatment is based on determining which organ systems are affected and managing the problems that arise. Recommendations for managing Marfan syndrome may include the following:

• An annual echocardiogram, or echo (to monitor the heart and aorta)
• Periodic eye examination by an ophthalmologist 
• Monitoring of the skeletal system for abnormalities (such as scoliosis) that can be noted in childhood or adolescence
• Lifestyle adjustments (to reduce the risk of injury to the aorta, such as avoiding contact sports or stressful exercise)

Genetic counseling is important for people who have Marfan syndrome and are planning to have a family. If one parent has the disorder, there is a 50% chance, with each pregnancy, for a child to also have Marfan syndrome. In addition, women with Marfan syndrome who become pregnant have significant risks for their health during pregnancy, due to the added stress that a pregnancy puts on the heart and aorta. Women with Marfan syndrome should consult with their health care providers before pregnancy to determine if pregnancy is safe for them.

Heart and blood vessel problems pose the largest threat to a person with Marfan syndrome, which emphasizes the importance of regular evaluation by your child's health care provider. Consult your child's health care provider for more information regarding the specific outlook for your child.

With advances in the diagnosis, evaluation and management of the organ abnormalities associated with Marfan syndrome, the life expectancy for a person with the disease has nearly doubled in the past 25 years. Today, individuals with Marfan syndrome can expect to live about 70 years or more.

For women with Marfan syndrome, pregnancy and childbirth pose significant risks. These women should be evaluated with echocardiography prior to becoming pregnant. Other diagnostic imaging procedures, such as computed tomography angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), may be used to assess risks. Cesarean delivery (C-section) is generally recommended for pregnant women with Marfan syndrome to prevent strain on the aorta and decrease the risk of aortic dissection during labor.

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, your child's health care provider may complete a family medical history to look for other family members with known Marfan syndrome or some of the characteristics of the disease.

Other diagnostic tests for Marfan syndrome may include the following:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
• Echocardiography (echo). A procedure that evaluates the structure and function of the heart by using sound waves recorded on an electronic sensor that produce a moving picture of the heart and heart valves.
• Complete eye examination. An examination of the interior of the eye, performed by an ophthalmologist, using a device called a slit lamp.
• X-ray. A diagnostic test which uses invisible X-ray beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones and organs onto film.
• DNA studies. A blood sample sent to the genetics lab can analyze the FBN1 gene to determine whether a mutation is present; not all mutations in the fibrillin gene cause Marfan syndrome. Similarly, not all persons with Marfan syndrome have a mutation in this gene. Sometimes, a type of DNA study called a linkage study, which examines the DNA of several family members, can aid in tracking the gene in the family. However, because of these limitations, the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome is primarily based on clinical findings.

In order to be diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, your child must exhibit several characteristics from a detailed list. Your child needs to have a significant number of the symptoms on the checklist in order to be diagnosed with the disorder. Your child's health care provider will make the diagnosis based on medical and family history and other factors, as well as symptoms your child may exhibit.

Marfan syndrome may be easier to diagnose as children age, as many of the features of the disorder become more obvious as your child grows.