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Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes connective tissue in your child’s body to be weaker than normal.
It often affects the heart, eyes, blood vessels and skeleton. Marfan syndrome is present at birth, but may not be detected until later in life.
Marfan syndrome can cause the main artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the body (the aorta) to become enlarged, stretched and weakened. If this happens, it can lead to an “aortic dissection,” where the aorta tears, releases blood or causes an aneurysm (bulge) to occur. These are serious complications that require immediate surgery.
Marfan syndrome is a genetic disease, which means a child is born with it. The defective gene is inherited.
Symptoms related to Marfan syndrome vary greatly. Examples include:
To determine if your child has Marfan syndrome, your specialized doctor will closely monitor your child for symptoms that should be treated. The condition is extremely hard to detect in children because most symptoms aren’t noticeable until a child reaches their teenage years or young adulthood. Early diagnosis and identification can allow doctors to prevent or delay complications that accompany Marfan’s syndrome.
Children’s with Marfan syndrome are at risk for developing other orthopaedic conditions such as:
There is currently no cure for Marfan’s syndrome but many of the associated symptoms can be managed and treated. With appropriate treatment early on, children with Marfan’s syndrome may have improved longevity (similar to the life expectancy of an average individual) and quality of life.
Possible non-surgical treatments our doctors may offer or recommend to treat your child include:
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Knowing When to Seek Care for Your Child: A Guide from LuskinOIC
As a parent, your top priority is keeping your child safe and healthy. But when your child is sick or injured, it can be hard to know what level of care they need. Should you call your pediatrician, visit urgent care, or head straight to the emergency department?
For non-emergencies, your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric urgent care center is often the best place to start. If your child’s doctor isn’t available—such as during evenings or weekends—urgent care can provide fast, effective treatment. Contact your pediatrician or visit urgent care if your child has:
You may also have access to virtual urgent care for non-emergency issues, allowing your child to be seen by a provider from home. Check if pediatric virtual urgent care services are available in your area.
If your child is seriously injured or ill—especially if the condition may be life-threatening or needs immediate attention—take them to the emergency department (ED). Seek emergency care if your child:
Your child’s health matters. When in doubt, trust your instincts—and don’t hesitate to seek care. LuskinOIC is here to support your family with trusted pediatric expertise every step of the way.