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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of the symptoms and complications that occur with Noonan syndrome depends on their type and severity. Many of the health and physical issues associated with this disease are treated just the way they are in the general population.
The treatment approach that your doctor may recommend to address various aspects of Noonan syndrome may include:
- Heart treatment. Certain drugs may be effective in addressing some kinds of heart problems. If there's a problem with your heart's valves, surgery may be necessary. Your dentist may recommend preventive use of antibiotics prior to dental cleaning or surgeries. Your doctor may also recommend that your heart function be evaluated periodically.
- Treating low growth rate. Many children with Noonan syndrome don't grow at a normal rate. Your child should be measured at every routine well child visit and at least every six to 12 months to make sure he or she is growing. Noonan syndrome often causes eating difficulties, and your child may not be getting adequate nutrition. Your doctor will likely be checking your child's blood chemistry, thyroid function, bone growth and hormone levels. If your child's growth hormone levels are insufficient, growth hormone therapy may be a successful treatment option.
- Addressing learning disabilities. A wide range of mental and behavioral issues can occur with this condition. Fortunately, there are many successful ways of coping with what are usually mild symptoms. If you discover early that your child has developmental delays, ask your doctor about infant stimulation programs. Physical and speech therapies may be helpful for addressing a variety of possible symptoms. In some cases special education or individualized teaching strategies may be appropriate.
- Vision treatments. Because many people with Noonan syndrome have vision problems, your child will need regular eye exams. Most eye issues can be treated with glasses only. Surgery may be needed for some conditions, such as cataracts.
- Treatment for bleeding and bruising. If you or your child has a history of easy bruising or excessive bleeding, avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products. In some cases, doctors may prescribe drugs that help the blood to clot.
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Treatment for lymphatic problems. Although lymphatic problems are a less common symptom, the many ways in which they can occur can make finding the problem and then treating it a challenge. Complications usually involve excess fluid that gets stored in various places in your body.
Sometimes fluid can collect in the space around your heart and lungs. If this happens, your doctor may want to insert a tube into your chest to drain the fluid. To prevent this problem, your doctor may suggest you modify your diet. Sometimes surgery is necessary if swelling around the heart and lungs persists.
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Treatment of genital and urinary tract problems. If your son has undescended testicles at birth, your doctor will likely refer you to an experienced surgeon to consider whether an injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin or surgery is appropriate. It's best for your child to receive such treatment before he enters school. Another common problem in males with Noonan syndrome is that their testicles don't function properly, in which case testosterone replacement may be an option.
If a urinary tract infection occurs, treatment is with antibiotics.
- Noonan syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=noonansyndrome. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Learning about Noonan syndrome. National Human Genome Research Institute. http://www.genome.gov/25521674. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Allanson JE. Noonan syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 2007;145C: 274-279.
- Allanson JE. Noonan syndrome. GeneReviews. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=noonan. Accessed Oct. 22, 2008.
- Lin AE. Adults with genetic syndromes and cardiovascular abnormalities: Clinical history and management. Genetics in Medicine. 2008;10(7):469-494.
- DeLuca A. NF1 gene mutations represent the major molecular event underlying neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome. The American Journal of Human Genetics. 2005;77(6):1092-1011.
- Tullu MS. Neurofibromatosis-Noonan syndrome or LEOPARD syndrome? A clinical dilemma. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. 2000;46(2):98-100.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 23, 2008.
