The Marfan syndrome is a heritable disorder of the connective tissue that affects many organ systems, including the skeleton, lungs, eyes, heart and blood vessels. The condition affects both men and women of any race or ethnic group. It is estimated that at least 200,000 people in the United States have the Marfan syndrome or a related connective tissue disorder.
A single abnormal gene causes the Marfan syndrome. Usually, this gene is inherited from a parent who is also affected. Approximately one-quarter of the cases occur as a result of a spontaneous mutation.
The Marfan syndrome is autosomal dominant, indicating that someone with the condition has a 50-50 chance that any offspring will inherit it.
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