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Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

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Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Other Names for this Disease
  • ED syndrome
  • EDS
  • Ehlers Danlos syndrome
More Names
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Overview


Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of disorders that affect connective tissue, which supports the skin, bones, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other organs. The signs and symptoms of EDS vary by type and range from mildly loose joints to life-threatening complications. An unusually large range of joint movement (hypermobility) occurs with most forms, particularly the hypermobility type. Many people with EDS also have soft, velvety skin that is highly elastic and fragile. Affected individuals tend to bruise easily, and some types of the condition also cause abnormal scarring. Some forms of EDS, notably the vascular type and kyphoscoliosis type, can involve serious and potentially life-threatening complications. EDS may be caused by mutations in any one of several genes; the inheritance pattern varies by type.[1]


References

  1. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/ehlers-danlos-syndrome. Accessed March 2, 2012.
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General Information

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Click on the link to go to GHR and review the information.
  • MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. Click on the link to view this information. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.