04-03-2021

Mallen Streak Cause



Answer: This condition is known as poiliosis. This is a condition in which there is a decrease or absence of melanin (pigment, or color) in the lashes and hair. It can form a 'Mallen Streak.'

Marfan syndrome can affect many parts of the body, including the skeleton, eyes, and heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system).

The severity of the symptoms varies widely. Some people experience a few mild symptoms, whereas others experience more severe symptoms.

The symptoms of Marfan syndrome tend to get more severe as a person gets older.

  • It's the decrease or absence of melanin (color) in the hair, eyelashes, eyebrows. Causing something called a Mallen Streak, and can be hereditary. I have always wanted one, oh well, nature happens any way.
  • With Caroline Blakiston, Mary Healey, Gillian Lewis, Matthew Long. The series follows a ruthless 19th century Northumberland Squire, Thomas Mallen, and the tumultuous lives of his multiple illegitimate children distinguishable by a white streak in their hair.

Skeleton

Someone with Marfan syndrome may have several distinct physical characteristics.

They may be:

  • tall and slim with long, thin arms and legs
  • have loose and very flexible joints

If your child is particularly slim or tall for their age, it does not necessarily mean they have Marfan syndrome.

It's a rare syndrome, and your child will usually have a number of other symptoms if they have it.

Other physical characteristics of Marfan syndrome can include:

  • a small lower jaw
  • a high, arched palate (roof of the mouth)
  • deep-set eyes
  • a breastbone (sternum) that either protrudes outwards or indents inwards
  • crowded teeth

Scoliosis

Marfan syndrome can cause the spine to become abnormally curved to the sides. This is known as scoliosis.

Curvature of the spine can cause long-term backache. In severe cases, it can also make breathing difficult as the spine may press against the heart and lungs.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is where one of the bones in your spine (a vertebra) slips forward over another vertebra.

The Mallen Streak Movie

This usually occurs in the lower spine, and can cause back pain and stiffness.

Anyone can develop spondylolisthesis, but it more commonly affects people with Marfan syndrome.

Dural ectasia

The dura is the membrane that lines your brain and spinal cord.

Dural ectasia is a condition where the dura becomes weakened and expands outwards.

People with Marfan syndrome are at particular risk of developing dural ectasia.

As the membrane expands, it can press on the vertebrae in your lower back, which can cause:

  • backache
  • numbness or pain in your legs

Eyes

Many people with Marfan syndrome have some type of vision problem.

Lens dislocation affects half of all people with the syndrome.

This is where the eye's lens, the transparent structure that sits behind the pupil and focuses light, falls into an abnormal position.

Other possible eye-related symptoms of Marfan syndrome include:

  • myopia – short-sightedness
  • glaucoma – increased pressure in the eyeball which, left untreated, can cause permanent vision loss
  • cataracts – where cloudy patches develop in the eye's lens, causing blurred or misty vision
  • retinal detachment – where the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of your eye (retina) begins to pull away from the blood vessels that supply it with oxygen and nutrients

Mallen Streak Causes

Cardiovascular system

Marfan syndrome can affect the cardiovascular system, which is made up of your heart and blood vessels.

It's particularly serious if your aorta and heart valves are affected.

Aorta

The aorta is the main artery in the body. It runs from your heart, down the centre of your chest and through your abdomen.

In people with Marfan syndrome, the walls of the aorta are weak.

Mallen Streak Causes

This can sometimes cause the aorta to enlarge and balloon, which is known as an aortic aneurysm.

In severe cases, the aorta can split (rupture), causing potentially fatal internal bleeding.

Mallen

Valves

Your heart has 4 chambers that pump blood to and from the rest of the body.

To control the flow of blood through your heart's chambers, your heart has 4 valves:

  • mitral valve
  • aortic valve
  • tricuspid valve
  • pulmonary valve

These valves act as one-way gates, allowing blood to flow through in one direction.

In some people with Marfan syndrome, the mitral or tricuspid valves do not close properly and blood leaks back through the valve.

The aortic valve may also leak, leading to the main pumping chamber (left ventricle) gradually becoming enlarged.

Mallen Streak Catherine Cookson

Monitoring

If your GP thinks you may have Marfan syndrome, you'll be referred to a specialist for testing.

Your heart and blood vessels will be examined for the symptoms of the syndrome.

Stretch marks

Stretch marks are pink, red or white streaks in the skin.

They can appear when you gain or lose weight quickly, when you have a growth spurt during childhood, or during pregnancy.

People with Marfan syndrome often develop stretch marks because the tissue in their skin is weakened and the skin is not as elastic as it should be.

If you have Marfan syndrome, stretch marks are most likely to appear on your:

  • shoulders
  • hips
  • lower back

Mallen Streak Genetics

Over time, they'll gradually fade to a silvery colour and will be difficult to see.

Vision problems and driving

Vision problems can affect your driving ability.

The Mallen Girl

You're legally obliged to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive.

Mallen Streak Eyes

See the GOV.UK website for more information and advice about driving with a disability or health condition.

Page last reviewed: 22 January 2019
Next review due: 22 January 2022