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Marfan Lipodystrophy Syndrome

OMIM ID:

autosomal dominant

Marfan Lipodystrophy Syndrome

Alternate Names

MFLS
marfanoid-progeroid-lipodystrophy syndrome

Defective Genes

FBN1

Clinical Characteristics

Ocular Features

The eyes are large resulting in high myopia and apparent proptosis.  The palpebral fissures usually slant downwards and ectopia lentis may be present.  

Systemic Features

This syndrome shares many features of Marfan syndrome (154700) such as tall stature, dislocated lenses, myopia, high arched palate, aortic root and valvular anomalies, arachnodactyly, high arched palate, lax and hyperextensible joints, and pectus excavatum.  In addition, MFLS patients have retrognathia, intrauterine growth retardation, scarce or absent subcutaneous fat, a progeroid facies, and sometimes macrocephaly.  Postnatal growth and psychomotor development have been reported to be normal albeit with slow weight gain.

Genetics

Inheritance

This condition is transmitted as an autosomal dominant as the result of heterozygous mutations in FBN1 (15q21.1).  The same gene is mutated in 6 other conditions in this database including Marfan Syndrome (154700) with which it shares some features.

Pedigree

Autosomal dominant

Autosomal dominant disorders require only one mutation for the disease to be expressed.  Since an affected parent has two chromosomes, only one of which has the mutant gene, parents can expect that half (50%) of their children will receive that one and inherit the disease.  It is common for individuals that inherit the mutation, however, to not have evidence of the disease (nonpenetrance).

Image
Sample pedigree of autosomal dominant inheritance

Autosomal dominant inheritance leads to a vertical pattern of transmission

Treatment & Management

There is no treatment for the overall condition but individual features such as ectopia lentis can be surgically corrected.  Patients with high myopia require frequent evaluation for retinal tears and detachments.  Cardiac monitoring likewise is important to monitor for aortic valve prolapse and dilation of the aortic root.

Selected Resources

Web Resources

Publications

Displaying 1 - 2 of 2

Neonatal progeroid variant of Marfan syndrome with congenital lipodystrophy results from mutations at the 3′ end of FBN1 gene

PubMedID: 24613577

Severe congenital lipodystrophy and a progeroid appearance: Mutation in the penultimate exon of FBN1 causing a recognizable phenotype

PubMedID: 24039054