As a result, surgeons often attempt to stabilize the spine in children as young as three years old to prevent further collapse, correct shortening and improve lung function. In the study, bracing had only a limited role in people with Marfan syndrome. Although bracing is one of the most currently used treatments, poor bone density and severe spinal curves often cause implanted rods to slip, says Sponseller. When attempted in three patients, the bracing rod dislodged in two children with kyphosis. In addition, complications occurred in more than one third of cases.
Surgeries can help, but they have to be done judiciously.
Other researchers who participated in this study were NMF professional advisory board member Reed E. Pyeritz, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Human Genetics at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and Hahnemann University, Nevin Sethi, M.D., Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Duke Cameron, M.D., Johns Hopkins Hospital.