The LDSF is intent on growing our community around the globe and reaching out to all impacted by LDS, regardless of nationality or language.
The Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation is a division of The Marfan Foundation. Through this relationship, donations to the Loeys-Dietz Syndrome Foundation are tax-deductible and directly support our mission.
If you or your organization would like to work with us on international or domestic US efforts, please email us at info@loeysdietz.org. Also, if you are multilingual and are interested in helping us translate our web site into other languages, please email info@loeysdietz.org.
The Marfan Foundation
22 Manhasset Avenue, Port Washington, NY 11050
1-800-8-MARFAN ext 10 (1-800-862-7326)
Our Partners
Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation (EDNF)
1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500
McLean, Virginia 22102
703-506-2892
www.ednf.org
The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health
11901 Santa Monica Blvd. #410
Los Angeles, CA 90025
Differential Diagnosis
Although Loeys-Dietz syndrome shows overlap with other disorders such as Marfan Syndrome (MFS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) and others, a variety of differential features set LDS apart from other disorders.
LDS and MARFAN SYNDROME
Individuals diagnosed with Marfan syndrome (MFS) exhibit several findings not found in LDS patients. These include:
ectopia lentis (dislocation of the lens of the eye)
dolichostenomelia (prominently long limbs)
Individuals with LDS tend to have a more translucent quality to their skin, allowing veins to be easily visible. Abnormal scarring and easy bruising also may occur to a greater degree in individuals with LDS.
Birth defects such as clubfoot, other structural heart defects and cleft palate (opening and obvious gap in the roof of the mouth) are also more likely to be associated with LDS.
It has also been discovered that the genetic cause for these two disorders is distinct. MFS is caused by a mutation (gene change) in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene, while LDS is caused by a mutation the TGFBR1, TGFBR2, SMAD3, TGFB2 or TGFB3 gene.
LDS AND EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME
LDS is similar to vascular type Ehlers-Danlos (EDS) in that skin-related findings such as easy bruising, soft/velvety skin texture, wide scarring and translucent skin are seen in both syndromes. Both LDS and vascular type EDS have a relatively high instance of arterial aneurysms and, to a lesser degree, spontaneous organ rupture. Clubfoot may be observed in both disorders.
The disorders are different in that individuals with LDS have physical findings typically not present in individuals with vascular type EDS, such as widely-spaced eyes and bifid uvula.
Vascular type EDS occurs when the collagen an individual produces is not the appropriate quantity or quality. Genetic testing for a mutation in the COL3a1 gene or collagen biochemical studies performed on a skin biopsy sample can confirm this diagnosis. Individuals exhibiting EDS-like symptoms but who have had a normal test for vascular type EDS should be evaluated for LDS.
LDS AND SHPRINTZEN-GOLDBERG SYNDROME
Individuals with Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome (SGS) and LDS may have similar findings, including craniosynostosis, pectus anomalies and scoliosis.
However, the vast majority of individuals with SGS do not show progressive or severe aneurysm formation of the aortic root or of other arteries. Another difference between these two disorders is that individuals with SGS are also more likely to show developmental delay. SGS is caused by mutations in the SKI gene.