Treatment Approaches For Noonan Syndrome

Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder that, while it is not always immediately identified, an individual is born with. The syndrome varies in severity and therefore is not always diagnosed. About half the number of patients who are diagnosed with the syndrome have a parent who has the disorder, so it can be inherited. This means a new mutation of a gene afflicted the rest of the patients. Noonan syndrome causes facial deformities, growth and development problems, and heart defects. Even though a damaged gene cannot be repaired, there are some ways to minimize the symptoms and conditions Noonan syndrome can cause. It is important to know any treatment will have greater success when started as early as possible. The following are some treatment approaches for Noonan syndrome.

Physical And Speech Therapy

Because Noonan syndrome causes facial deformity, weak muscles, and physical impairments, physical and speech therapy will probably be part of a treatment plan. Speech therapy can help patients build up muscles that are weak because of the syndrome and learn to function with their disability. This will help with speech problems and help others understand the patient's speech better. In more severe cases identified shortly after birth, the weakened muscles can lead to a problem with feeding, which can result in the baby being fed through a feeding tube. Physical therapy will help increase muscle strength by doing certain exercises. It will also teach patients how to use stronger muscles to support weaker muscles. Seeing a licensed speech therapist and physical therapist can help patients manage the disorder and provide them with more independence. It is important to seek professional help so patients know they are doing the appropriate exercises and doing them correctly.

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