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Noonan: The Most Common Medical Syndrome You've Never Heard Of

photo submitted
Max is 6 and has Noonan syndrome

Noonan syndrome is a genetic condition.  The characteristic facial features include low set ears, widely spaced-eyes, bright blue or blue-green eyes, a low hairline at the back of the head, and multiple congenital problems like heart defects and an unusually shaped chest.

A person with Noonan syndrome is often short, has a broad or webbed neck, low set nipples, and bleeding problems.  Developmental delay or intellectual disability are also common.

In this 'Talk of Iowa' hear from the pediatric cardiologist that discovered the condition more than 50 years ago in Iowa.  A geneticist who treats this and other condition talks about what's being done today, and hear personal stories from two parents of individuals with the condition and what's at times been a frightening journey but one filled with hope.

This program originally aired on February 27, 2014. 

Charity Nebbe is the host of IPR's Talk of Iowa