How do you tell if you have marfan syndrome?

withought going to the doctors going for checkup, is there a way?...

Try this website:

http://www.marfan.org/nmf/index.jsp

Marfan's syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetically inherited condition. If you have family members with this disease and you have the same physical characteristics that they do then you are probably affected also. Individuals with Marfan's are very tall and have long fingers and toes. Marfan's is a connective tissue disorder. If you suspect that you have Marfan's then you should get to the doctor right away because these individuals are at risk for ascending aortic aneurysm that needs to be monitored. They are also at risk for eye problems.

Affected patients are usually taller and thinner than their family members. Their limbs are disproportionately long compared with the trunk.

Pectus excavatum (chest like the keel of a boat) requiring surgery or pectus carinatum (pigeon's chest)

Reduced upper-to-lower body segment ratio (0.85 vs 0.93) or arm span-to-height ratio greater than 1.05: Arms and legs may be unusually long in proportion to the torso.

The thumb sign is positive if the thumb, when completely opposed within the clenched hand, projects beyond the ulnar border.

The wrist sign is positive if the distal phalanges of the first and fifth digits of 1 hand overlap when wrapped around the opposite wrist.

Scoliosis greater than 20掳: More than 60% of patients have scoliosis. Progression is most likely with curvature >20掳 in growing patients.

Reduced extension of the elbows (<170掳)

pes planus or flat feet

Minor criteria are as follows:

Pectus excavatum of moderate severity

Scoliosis less than 20掳

Thoracic lordosis

Joint hypermobility

Highly arched palate

Dental crowding

Typical facies (dolichocephaly, malar hypoplasia, enophthalmos, retrognathia, down-slanting palpebral fissures)

ectopia lentis (dislocated lens). This may present at birth or develop during childhood or adolescence, producing difficulty in vision


Flat cornea


Cataract (nuclear sclerotic) in patients younger than 50 years

Nearsightedness regardless of whether the lens is in place: The most common refraction error is myopia

Glaucoma (patients <50 y)

Retinal detachment