Signs and symptoms
... Because Marfan syndrome can affect so many body systems, the signs and symptoms of the disease vary greatly, even among members of the same family. Some people experience only mild effects, whereas ot...

Causes
... The elastic tissues in your body — including your skin, lungs and blood vessels — are supported and nourished by a strong, resilient framework of connective tissue. Although it varies from...

Risk factors
... Marfan syndrome is one of the most common of the more than 100 inherited connective tissue disorders. It affects men and women equally and occurs among all races and ethnic groups. Because it''s a gen...

When to seek medical advice
... Because many features of Marfan syndrome occur in healthy people as well as in people with other connective tissue disorders, having signs and symptoms such as flat feet or a tall, thin build doesn''t...

Screening and diagnosis
... Marfan syndrome can be challenging for doctors to diagnose. The signs and symptoms of the disease vary widely — both in their features and in their severity — even among members of the sam...