Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder characterized by unusually long limbs. The disease also affects other bodily structures—including the skeleton, lungs, eyes, heart and blood vessels—in less obvious ways. It is named for Antoine Marfan, the French pediatrician who first described it in 1896.

Affected persons

Of famous people, it is believed to have affected Julius Caesar, Charles de Gaulle, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Mary Queen of Scots, Abraham Lincoln, violinist Niccolò Paganini, and possibly Charles Maurice de Talleyrand. A recent book suggested that the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten) may also have had the condition. Ann Coulter and Osama bin Laden are also rumored to have Marfan syndrome. http://archive.salon.com/people/feature/2001/11/09/marfan/ http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/a_binladen.htm

Related Topics:
Julius Caesar - Charles de Gaulle - Sergei Rachmaninoff - Mary Queen of Scots - Abraham Lincoln - Violin - Niccolò Paganini - Charles Maurice de Talleyrand - Ancient Egypt - Pharaoh - Akhenaten - Ann Coulter - Osama bin Laden

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Volleyball star Flo Hyman, a known Marfan sufferer, and musical theater composer Jonathan Larson, believed to have been a Marfan sufferer, both died of aortic dissection. Another World actor Brent Collins was a dwarf with Marfan syndrome, who eventually grew in a short spurt late in life, which led to his death.

Related Topics:
Volleyball - Flo Hyman - Musical theater - Composer - Jonathan Larson - Another World - Brent Collins - Dwarf

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