Weak Bones
Both adults and children with Noonan syndrome might have issues with bone strength and bone formation. This leads to fragile bones, which would break or crack more easily than usual. In some cases, weak bones would cause an abnormal body structure as well, especially in the chest area. A typical case of the abnormal bone structure in those with Noonan syndrome can be a deep “pit” around the upper chest. The exact cause of this feature is still unknown, and it seems not to affect everyone with Noonan syndrome. [4]
Growth Problems
Noonan syndrome may affect the normal growth of children. In other words, many infants with this condition do not grow at a usual rate like others. Typical problems that may happen include:
– Trouble eating may lead to low weight gain and insufficient nutrition
– Birth weight might be normal, but the body will grow slowly over time
– The growth spurt that is often noticed during the teenager period might be delayed. However, growth may keep occurring in the late teenagers as the condition might cause a delay in the bone maturity
– Levels of growth hormone in the body might be insufficient
– Some individuals with Noonan syndrome might have normal height by adulthood. However, a short body stature is still more prevalent [5]
