Lesson Summary
In the story, Freak is picked on for his physical appearance and the fact that he wears leg braces and uses crutches. Freak suffers from a genetic disorder called Morquio syndrome. People with Morquio Syndrome are unable to break down a special type of sugars called glycosaminoglycans.
Considering this, what does Morquio syndrome do to your body?
Morquio syndrome is a genetic disorder where a baby has trouble breaking down sugar chains in the body. This prevents the body from getting the required nutrients for the development of things like skin, tendons, ligaments, bone, cartilage and other tissues. It can lead to a number of potential complications.
Similarly, what disability does Kevin have in Freak the Mighty? Morquio syndrome
Consequently, how long do Morquio syndrome patients live?
Morquio syndrome includes mild, moderate, and severe forms. Although all forms are characterized by skeletal disease, individuals affected by milder cases may live over 70 years, while severe cases do not typically live beyond age 30.
How does Freak the Mighty die?
Answer and Explanation: Freak does die in the book Freak the Mighty. He has a seizure and is hospitalized as the result of Morquio syndrome, from which he suffers. Freak dies on his thirteenth birthday after he is admitted to the hospital.
17 Related Question Answers Found
How rare is Morquio syndrome?
Morquio syndrome is a rare inherited birth defect that is estimated to occur in one of every 200,000 births. The disease may not be visible at birth; symptoms usually begin between ages 1 and 3. Morquio syndrome is part of a group of diseases called mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). Morquio is also known as MPS IV.
Is MPS fatal?
MPS I is a progressive, debilitating, and often life-threatening disease. In the most severe cases of MPS I, death usually occurs by age 10 although some patients may have a normal life span.
What are the complications stemming from MPS?
Complications of mucopolysaccharidosis include the following: Hearing loss. Joint stiffness. Hydrocephalus. Corneal clouding. Cardiovascular disease. Obstructive airway disease.
What are some complications of Morquio syndrome?
Over time, MPS IV may cause serious complications, including: Spinal cord damage, which may result in paralysis. Blindness. Breathing problems and narrowed airways, which may cause frequent upper respiratory infections. Heart failure. Hearing impairment.
Who is at risk for having Morquio syndrome?
The risk is the same for males and females. All individuals carry 4-5 abnormal genes. Parents who are close relatives (consanguineous) have a higher chance than unrelated parents to both carry the same abnormal gene, which increases the risk to have children with a recessive genetic disorder.
Who discovered Morquio syndrome?
MPS IV is a mucopolysaccharide disease known as Morquio or Morquio-Brailsford syndrome. MPS IV takes its name from Dr. Morquio, a pediatrician in Montevideo, Uruguay, who in 1929 described a family of four children affected by this condition. As the same condition was also described in the same year by Dr.
What is Hurler syndrome?
Hurler syndrome is the most severe form of mucopolysaccharidosis type 1 (MPS1; see this term), a rare lysosomal storage disease, characterized by skeletal abnormalities, cognitive impairment, heart disease, respiratory problems, enlarged liver and spleen, characteristic facies and reduced life expectancy. Epidemiology.
Is Morquio Syndrome life threatening?
The fact that only one death in this age group was attributed to cardiac failure may also indicate that the cardiovascular complications associated with Morquio syndrome A have yet to become life-threatening in this age group, particularly as cardiac failure is likely to develop secondary to respiratory impairment and
How do you get MS?
The cause of multiple sclerosis is unknown. It’s considered an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS , this immune system malfunction destroys the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord (myelin).
Is Morquio syndrome contagious?
Morquio syndrome is a recessive genetic condition — both parents must carry the gene and pass it to the child.
What is mucopolysaccharidosis?
Mucopolysaccharidosis refers to a group of inherited conditions in which the body is unable to properly breakdown mucopolysaccharides (long chains of sugar molecules that are found throughout the body). Seven distinct forms and numerous subtypes of mucopolysaccharidosis have been identified.
What is MPS IVA?
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA, also called Morquio syndrome , type A) is a metabolic condition that primarily affects the skeleton. MPS IVA is caused by changes ( mutations ) in the GALNS gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.
Is there a movie for Freak the Mighty?
The Mighty is a 1998 American coming of age buddy comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom and written by Charles Leavitt. Based on the book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, the film stars Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands, Gillian Anderson, Harry Dean Stanton, Kieran Culkin, James Gandolfini and Elden Henson.
What is Kevin’s last name in Freak the Mighty?
Avery
Who is Tony D in Freak the Mighty?
In Freak the Mighty, Tony D. is also known around school as Blade. Tony is the leader of a gang called the Doghouse Boys. He is an antagonizer to Max and Kevin and takes pleasure in Max getting into trouble.
Who are the main characters in Freak the Mighty?
Maxwell Kane Loretta Lee Gwen Dillon Kevin Dillon Gram
Who is Max’s mom in Freak the Mighty?
Maxwell Kane/Kicker—a large boy being raised by his grandparents after his mother’s death and father’s imprisonment; the other half of Freak the Mighty. Gram—Max’s grandmother. Grim—Max’s grandfather. Gwen/Fair Gwen/Gwen of the Air—Kevin’s mother.