Health Library

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited disorders marked by extremely loose joints, very stretchy (hyperelastic) skin that bruises easily, and easily damaged blood vessels.

Images

I Would Like to Learn About:

Causes

There are six major types and at least five minor types of EDS.

A variety of gene changes (mutations) cause problems with collagen. This is the material that provides strength and structure to:

• Skin
• Bone
• Blood vessels
• Internal organs

The abnormal collagen leads to the symptoms associated with EDS. In some forms of the syndrome, the rupture of internal organs or abnormal heart valves can occur.

Family history is a risk factor in some cases.

Symptoms

Symptoms of EDS include:

• Back pain
• Double-jointedness
• Easily damaged, bruised, and stretchy skin
• Easy scarring and poor wound healing
• Flat feet
• Increased joint mobility, joints popping, early arthritis
• Joint dislocation
• Joint pain
• Premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy
• Very soft and velvety skin
• Vision problems

Exams and Tests

Examination by a health care provider may show:

• Deformed surface of the eye (cornea)
• Excess joint looseness and joint hypermobility
• Mitral valve in the heart does not close tightly (mitral valve prolapse)
• Gum infection (periodontitis)
• Rupture of intestines, uterus, or eyeball (seen only in vascular EDS, which is rare)
• Soft, thin, or very stretchy skin

Tests to diagnose EDS include:

• Collagen typing (performed on a skin biopsy sample)
• Collagen gene mutation testing
• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
• Lysyl hydroxylase or oxidase activity (to check collagen formation)

Treatment

There is no specific cure for EDS. Individual problems and symptoms are evaluated and cared for appropriately. Physical therapy or evaluation by a doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine is often needed.

Support Groups

More information and support for people with Ehlers-Danlos and their families can be found at:

The Ehlers-Danlos Society -- www.ehlers-danlos.com/support/

Outlook (Prognosis)

People with EDS generally have a normal life span. Intelligence is normal.

Those with the rare vascular type of EDS are at greater risk for rupture of a major organ or blood vessel. These people have a high risk for sudden death.

Possible Complications

Possible complications of EDS include:

• Chronic joint pain
• Early-onset arthritis
• Failure of surgical wounds to close (or stitches tear out)
• Premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy
• Rupture of major vessels, including a ruptured aortic aneurysm (only in vascular EDS)
• Rupture of a hollow organ such as the uterus or bowel (only in vascular EDS)
• Rupture of the eyeball

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your provider if you have a family history of EDS and you are concerned about your risk or are planning to start a family.

Call for an appointment with your provider if you or your child has symptoms of EDS.

Prevention

Genetic counseling is recommended for prospective parents with a family history of EDS. Those planning to start a family should be aware of the type of EDS they have and its mode of how it is passed down to children. This can be determined through testing and evaluations suggested by your provider or genetic counselor.

Identifying any significant health risks may help prevent severe complications by vigilant screening and lifestyle alterations.

Related Information

References

Krakow D. Heritable diseases of connective tissue. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelly's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 111.

Pyeritz RE. Inherited diseases of connective tissue. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 244.

Review Date: 12/24/2020  

Reviewed By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2023 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.