Important complications of this condition, in terms of their abilities to cause serious impairment are divided into three categories:
- Cardiac. The debilitation of the connective tissue at the level of the aortic base causes a tendency toward the dilatation and rupture of this blood vessel.
- Ophthalmological. These are found with unusual frequency. These are essentially dislocations or sub-dislocations of the ocular crystalline.
- Muscular and skeletal. With frequency a hyper-laxity is reported on these patients accompanied by a reduced muscular mass. Equally, the joints are often weak, producing severe scoliosis in some cases.
Diagnosis
To establish a diagnosis one has to rely on the confirmation of the symptoms components of the clinical picture.
At present we have no specific method or diagnostic test that can be used to confirm the presence of this condition.
Treatment
Is limited to affording symptomatic relief to the patients as necessary, and to the use of support groups, where those exist.
Prognosis
With early detection and adequate follow up to prevent any complications, the patient can expect to lead a normal life.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND MARFAN’S (1809-1865)
Without doubt Lincoln was one of the tallest, and thinnest of all occupants of the White House. He is known for his frequent fits of melancholy that accompanied him all of his life. For many years many investigators suspect that he was a victim of Marfan’s Syndrome. His physical characteristics leave us with little room for doubt.
His life was unusual in many ways. Giving us an exceptional example of how a valiant man can persevere against the odds of adversity:
- In 1831, Lincoln suffered a disastrous business setback.
- In 1832, lost his bid for election to the House of Representatives.
- In 1833, Lincoln suffered another serious business setback.
- In 1836, suffered from "severe emotional problems".
- In 1838, lost another election.
- In 1840, defeated once again on his bid for Congress.
- In 1843, 1848 and in 1855 defeated in his attempts to be elected to the US Senate.
- In 1856 defeated on his try to be postulated to the Vice-presidency of the United States.
- In 1858, once more, is defeated on his efforts to be elected as senator.
- In 1860, is elected sixteenth president of the United States of America.
Not only for the abolition of slavery in his country, will Lincoln equally be forever remembered for the oratory masterpiece that follows for the enjoyment of our readers.
The Gettysburg Address (19 November, 1863):
"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
"But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Bibliography
- Medline Plus
- Shenk, J. W: (2005) Lincoln’s Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness Houghton Mifflin NY
- McPherson, J: (2000) To the Best of my Ability: The American Presidents DK Books
- Larocca, F. E. F: (2007) Lincoln y el Mal de Marfán en monografías.com
Dr Félix E. F. Larocca MD
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