What is the Difference Between Marfan Syndrome and Marfanoid Habitus

The key difference between Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus is that Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues in the body, while marfanoid habitus is a collection of symptoms resembling those of Marfan syndrome.

Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus show similar symptoms. Marfanoid habitus is also usually associated with other genetic disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Perrault syndrome, and Stickler syndrome. Both these have inherited genetic influences. Moreover, Marfan syndrome can be differentiated from marfanoid habitus through differential diagnosis methods such as physical assessment of arm span to height ratio and scoliosis.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Marfan Syndrome
3. What is Marfanoid Habitus
4. Similarities – Marfan Syndrome and Marfanoid Habitus
5. Marfan Syndrome vs Marfanoid Habitus in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Marfan Syndrome vs Marfanoid Habitus

What is Marfan Syndrome?

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues in the body. Since this genetic condition affects different parts of the body, patients may have to consult a number of healthcare providers who are experts in these areas. The connective tissue normally holds the body together and provides strength and support to many structures throughout the body. In Marfan syndrome, the connective tissue is abnormal. This affects several body systems, including the heart, blood vessels, bones, tendons, cartilage, eyes, skin, and lungs. This genetic condition affects 1 in 10,000 to 20000 people.

Marfan syndrome is due to an inherited defect in a gene (FBN1) that encodes for the structure of fibrillin, which is a major component of connective tissue. The signs and symptoms of Marfan syndrome include a long and narrow face, a tall and thin body, arms, legs, fingers, and toes that may seem too long than the rest of the body, scoliosis, weak joints, and flat feet, crowded teeth, nearsightedness, cataracts, retinal detachments, glaucoma, aortic aneurysm, enlarged heart, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and less stretchy skin.

Marfan syndrome can be diagnosed through physical examination, medical history, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, CT, and MRI scans. Furthermore, treatment options for Marfan syndrome include medications (beta blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers) and surgeries (to prevent the aorta from rupturing and valve problems).

What is Marfanoid Habitus?

Marfanoid habitus refers to a collection of symptoms that resemble those of Marfan syndrome. It is also known as marfanoid. The symptoms of marfanoid include arachnodactyly, hyperlaxity, long limbs, scoliosis, bony lip growth towards vestibular aqueduct, imprecise articulation of speech due to high arched palate, hearing problems, giddiness, imbalance, crowding of the teeth, long flat feet, and hammer toes.

Marfanoid habitus is caused by many genetic defects, and it is a condition associated with other genetic disorders, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Perrault syndrome, Stickler syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasias, homocystinuria, and Synder-Robinson syndrome. Marfanoid habitus can be diagnosed through physical assessments of arm span-to-height ratio and scoliosis. Furthermore, marfanoid habitus can be treated through specific surgeries.

What are the Similarities Between Marfan Syndrome and Marfanoid Habitus?

• Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus have similar symptoms.
• Both these have inherited genetic influences.
• Both these can be diagnosed through physical assessment.
• They are treated through respective surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Marfan Syndrome and Marfanoid Habitus?

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues in the body, while marfanoid habitus is a collection of symptoms resembling those of Marfan syndrome. Thus, this is the key difference between Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus. Furthermore, Marfan syndrome is caused due to an inherited defect in a gene (FBN1) encoding the structure of fibrillin, which is a major component of connective tissue. On the other hand, marfanoid habitus is caused by many genetic defects, and it is a condition associated with other genetic disorders.

The below infographic presents the differences between Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Marfan Syndrome vs Marfanoid Habitus

Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus have similar symptoms, such as long limbs, scoliosis, crowding of teeth, etc. However, Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissues in the body. Marfanoid habitus is a collection of symptoms resembling those of Marfan syndrome. So, this is the key difference between Marfan syndrome and marfanoid habitus.

Reference:

1. “Marfanoid.” An Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
2. “Marfan Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Marfan Syndrome E00552 (CardioNetworks ECHOpedia)” By CardioNetworks: Secretariat – CardioNetworks: E00552.jpgAMC Echolab, AMC, The Netherlands (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lujan” By see above – Griet Van Buggenhout, Jean-Pierre Fryns. Lujan-Fryns syndrome (mental retardation, X-linked, marfanoid habitus). Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 1, 26. 2006. PMID 16831221. (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia