Marfan Syndrome In Pregnancy – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Now that you are expecting, any disease or condition can lead to complications for you and your unborn baby. So, you need to be extra careful about your health. However, sometimes a genetic disorder can lead to nasty complications and endanger you and your baby’s health. One such condition is Marfan syndrome. So, here, we talk about everything regarding Marfan syndrome and pregnancy.
What Is Marfan Syndrome?
Marfan syndrome is popular as a genetic disorder that you inherit from either of your parents. The disorder causes multiple abnormalities in the connective tissue of your body, particularly in the skeletal and cardiovascular system. You may suffer from abnormalities in bones, ligaments, blood vessels, lungs, skin, and eyes. Cardiovascular abnormalities due to Marfan syndrome are highly serious during pregnancy as they can affect your aorta and make you suffer from heart issues. So, you need to take great care while expecting (1).
[ Read: Down Syndrome During Pregnancy ]
Causes Of Marfan Syndrome In Pregnancy:
Marfan syndrome in pregnancy results due to a defect in your gene which produces fibrillin. Fibrillin is one of the vital proteins necessary to maintain elasticity, strength, and functioning of the connective tissues in your body. A defect in the gene that produces it automatically affects your connective tissues making you suffer from Marfan syndrome while expecting (2).
Symptoms Of Marfan Syndrome In Pregnancy:
Symptoms of Marfan syndrome in pregnancy vary greatly. Some pregnant women may experience only mild effects of the disorder while others may suffer from life-threatening problems. Find below some of the common symptoms of Marfan syndrome:
- Heart murmurs
- The breastbone that dips inward or protrudes outward
- Loose joints
- Extreme nearsightedness and other vision problems
- Thin body frame
- Painful, weak legs
- Pain in abdomen
- Enlarged aorta
- Risk of aortic rupture or dissection
- Aortic regurgitation
- Stress on aorta making your heart pump out greater blood than usual.
- Lung complications (3)
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms during pregnancy, see your doctor as soon as possible.
[ Read: Neurofibromatosis In Pregnancy ]
Treating Marfan Syndrome In Pregnancy:
Following doctor’s advice and regular health checkups can help you deliver a healthy baby, even if you tend to suffer from the symptoms of Marfan syndrome. Here are some effective treatments that you may need to follow while expecting.
1. See An Obstetrician:
Your pregnancy can stress out your heart as you suffer from the disorder. So, you need to see an expert obstetrician to seek effective solutions to prevent the risk of heart problems while expecting (4).
2. Follow A Balanced Diet:
Having a balanced diet can help you maintain and enjoy a healthy pregnancy despite suffering from the disorder. Following a balanced diet prevents the risk of development of heart problems. So, make sure your diet during pregnancy contains all essential nutrients in the right amounts (5).
[ Read: Diet Chart For Pregnant Women ]
3. Medications:
Doctors would refrain from prescribing your certain medications, which are usually effective for treating Marfan syndrome, during pregnancy since there is a risk of fetal loss and birth defects. So, if you need anticoagulation while expecting, the doctor may prescribe heparin since it does not affect placenta and does not cause any birth defects in your unborn baby. The doctor would advise you to stop taking heparin for about 24 to 48 hours around the time of delivery (6).
4. Surgery:
Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair aorta or replace a valve if the health problem is serious. However, it depends on your health condition and the safety of your unborn baby since you are pregnant (7).
Did you suffer from any symptoms of Marfan syndrome while expecting? How did you treat it effectively? Tell us. Share your experiences with other moms-to-be suffering from the disorder. Leave a comment below.
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