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The syndrome is a rare clinical disorder.
- Physical
- Overgrowth
- Accelerated skeletal maturation
- Dysmorphic facial features
- Prominent eyes
- Bluish sclerae
- Coarse eyebrows
- Upturned nose
- Radiologic examination
- Accelerated osseous maturation
- Phalangeal abnormalities
- Tubular thinning of the long bones
- Skull abnormalities
- Mental
- Often associated with intellectual disability (of variable degree)
As of 2017 there are 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, with a significant overlap in features.
Hypermobile EDS - characterized primarily by joint hypermobility affecting both large and small joints, which may lead to recurrent joint dislocations and subluxations (partial dislocation). In general, people with this type have soft, smooth and velvety skin with easy bruising and chronic pain of the muscles and/or bones.
Classical EDS - associated with extremely elastic (stretchy), smooth skin that is fragile and bruises easily; wide, atrophic scars (flat or depressed scars); and joint hypermobility. Molluscoid pseudotumors (calcified hematomas over pressure points such as the elbow) and spheroids (fat-containing cysts on forearms and shins) are also frequently seen. Hypotonia and delayed motor development may occur.
Vascular EDS - characterized by thin, translucent skin that is extremely fragile and bruises easily. Arteries and certain organs such as the intestines and uterus are also fragile and prone to rupture. People with this type typically have short stature; thin scalp hair; and characteristic facial features including large eyes, a thin nose, and lobeless ears. Joint hypermobility is present, but generally confined to the small joints (fingers, toes). Other common features include club foot; tendon and/or muscle rupture; acrogeria (premature aging of the skin of the hands and feet); early onset varicose veins; pneumothorax (collapse of a lung); recession of the gums; and a decreased amount of fat under the skin.
Kyphoscoliosis EDS - associated with severe hypotonia at birth, delayed motor development, progressive scoliosis (present from birth), and scleral fragility. Affected people may also have easy bruising; fragile arteries that are prone to rupture; unusually small corneas; and osteopenia (low bone density). Other common features include a "marfanoid habitus" which is characterized by long, slender fingers (arachnodactyly); unusually long limbs; and a sunken chest (pectus excavatum) or protruding chest (pectus carinatum).
Arthrochalasia EDS - characterized by severe joint hypermobility and congenital hip dislocation. Other common features include fragile, elastic skin with easy bruising; hypotonia; kyphoscoliosis (kyphosis and scoliosis); and mild osteopenia.
Dermatosparaxis EDS - associated with extremely fragile skin leading to severe bruising and scarring; saggy, redundant skin, especially on the face; and hernias.
Brittle Cornea Syndrome (BCS) characterized by thin cornea, early onset progressive keratoglobus; and blue sclerae.
Classical-like EDS (clEDS) characterized by skin hyperextensibility with velvety skin texture and absence of atrophic scarring, generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) with or without recurrent dislocations (most often shoulder and ankle), and easily bruised skin or spontaneous ecchymoses (discolorations of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath).
Spondylodysplastic EDS (spEDS) characterized by short stature (progressive in childhood), muscle hypotonia (ranging from severe congenital, to mild later-onset), and bowing of limbs.
Musculocontractural EDS (mcEDS) characterized by congenital multiple contractures, characteristically adduction-flexion contractures and/or talipes equinovarus (clubfoot), characteristic craniofacial features, which are evident at birth or in early infancy, and skin features such as skin hyperextensibility, easy bruisability, skin fragility with atrophic scars, increased palmar wrinkling.
Myopathic EDS (mEDS) characterized by congenital muscle hypotonia, and/or muscle atrophy, that improves with age, Proximal joint contractures (joints of the knee, hip and elbow); and hypermobility of distal joints (joints of the ankles, wrists, feet and hands).
Periodontal EDS (pEDS) characterized by severe and intractable periodontitis of early onset (childhood or adolescence), lack of attached gingiva, pretibial plaques; and family history of a first-degree relative who meets clinical criteria.
Cardiac-valvular EDS (cvEDS) characterized by severe progressive cardiac-valvular problems (aortic valve, mitral valve), skin problems (hyperextensibility, atrophic scars, thin skin, easy bruising) and joint hypermobility (generalized or restricted to small joints).
Most of the signs of MWS are present during the neonatal period. The most common signs at this state are multiple congenital joint contractures, dysmorphic features with mask-like face, blepharophimosis, ptosis, micrognathia, cleft or high arched palate, low-set ears, arachnodactyly, chest deformation as pectus, kyphoscoliosis and absent deep tendon reflexes are frequent minor malformations have also been described and consist of renal anomalies, cardiovascular abnormalities, hypospadias, omphalomesenteric duct, hypertriphic pyloric stenosis, duodenal bands, hyoplastic right lower lobe of the lung, displacement of the larynx to the right and vertebral abnormalities, cerebral malformations.
- 75% of children with MWS have blepharophimosis, small mouth, micrognathia, kyphosis/scoliosis, radio ulnar synostose and multiple contractures.
- They have severe developmental delay; congenital joint contractures and blepharophimosis should be present in every patient
- 2 out of 3 of the following signs should be manifested: post natal growth, mask-like faces, retardation, and decreased muscular mass.
- Some may require additional signs such as; micrognathia, high arched or cleft palate, low set ears, kyphoscoliosis.
- The symptoms of MWS are normally diagnosed during the newborn period
Very frequent signs
- Abnormal gastrointestinal tract
- Absent pectoral muscles
- Brachydactyly (Short fingers)
- Dextrocardia
- Diaphragmatic hernia/defect
- Humerus absent/abnormal
- Liver/biliary tract anomalies
- Maternal diabetes
- Oligodactyly/missing fingers
- Radius absent/abnormal
- Rhizomelic micromelia (relatively shorter proximal segment of the limbs compared to the middle and the distal segments)
- Sparsity or abnormality of axillary hair on affected side
- Syndactyly of fingers (webbing)
- Ulna absent/abnormal
- Upper limb asymmetry
- Abnormal rib
- Simian crease on affected side
Frequent signs
- Hypoplastic/absent nipples
- Scapula anomaly
Occasional signs
- Agenesis/hypoplasia of kidneys
- Encephalocele/exencephaly
- Abnormal morphology of hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis
- Abnormal function of hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis
- Microcephaly
- Preaxial polydactyly
- Ureteric anomalies (reflux/duplex system)
- Vertebral segmentation anomaly
Children with the Sanjad Sakati syndrome have a triad of:
a) hypoparathyroidism (with episodes of hypocalcemia, hypocalcemic tetany and hypocalcemic seizures.
b) severe mental retardation and
c) dysmorphism.
Typically, children with this syndrome are born low-birth-weight due to intrauterine growth retardation. At birth, there is dysmorphism, which is later typified into the features described below. The child is stunted, often with demonstrable growth hormone deficiency and has moderate to severe mental retardation, mainly as a consequence of repeated seizures brought on by the low blood ionic calcium levels. The immuno-reactive parathormone levels are low to undetectable, with low calcium and high phosphate levels in the blood.
"Dysmorphism" is most evident on the face, with the following features:
- Long narrow face
- Deep-set, small eyes
- Beaked nose
- Large, floppy ears
- Small head (microcephaly) and
- Thin lips with a long philtrum.
The natural history of MWS is not well known: many patients died in infancy and clinical follow-up has been reported in few surviving adults. However, diagnosis may be more difficult to establish in adults patients, such as: blepharophimosis, contractures, growth retardation, and developmental delay, whereas minor face anomalies are less noticeable as the patient grows older. Throughout the development of the patient from young child to older adult changes the behavior drastically, from kindness to restless and hyperactive to aggressive.
There are several disorders that share some characteristics with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. For example, in cutis laxa the skin is loose, hanging, and wrinkled. In EDS, the skin can be pulled away from the body but is elastic and returns to normal when let go. In Marfan syndrome, the joints are very mobile and similar cardiovascular complications occur. People with EDS tend to have a "Marfanoid" appearance (e.g., tall, skinny, long arms and legs, "spidery" fingers). However, physical appearance and features in several types of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome also have characteristics including short stature, large eyes, and the appearance of a small mouth and chin, due to a small palate. The palate can have a high arch, causing dental crowding. Blood vessels can sometimes be easily seen through translucent skin, especially on the chest. The genetic connective tissue disorder, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, also has symptoms that overlap with EDS.
In the past, Menkes disease, a copper metabolism disorder, was thought to be a form of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. It is not uncommon for patients to be misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia, bleeding disorders or other disorders that can mimic EDS symptoms before a correct diagnosis is made. Because of these similar disorders and complications that can arise from an un-monitored case of EDS, a correct diagnosis is very important. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is worth consideration in diagnosing a patient.
Marshall-Smith Syndrome, discovered in 1971 (Marshall, Graham, Scott, Boner, & Smith), is characterized by unusual accelerated skeletal maturation (usually starting before birth) and symptoms like conspicuous physical characteristics, respiratory difficulties, and mental retardation. Cases described in the literature show a clinical variability regarding related symptoms. For instance, respiratory difficulties are ranging from absent to severe difficulties.
Other features include:
- Stunting
- Small hands and feet with long, tapering fingers and clinodactyly
- Dental anomalies in the form of malalignment and malocclusion
In another study of six patients, the patients were investigated further. They were found to have low levels of IGF-1 and markedly retarded bone age.
Genitopatellar syndrome is a rare condition characterized by genital abnormalities, missing or underdeveloped kneecaps (patellae), intellectual disability, and abnormalities affecting other parts of the body.
Genitopatellar syndrome is also associated with delayed development and intellectual disability, which are often severe. Affected individuals may have an unusually small head (microcephaly) and structural brain abnormalities, including underdeveloped or absent tissue connecting the left and right halves of the brain (agenesis of the corpus callosum).
Poland syndrome, named after British surgeon Alfred Poland, is a rare birth defect characterized by underdevelopment or absence of the chest muscle (pectoralis) on one side of the body, and usually also webbing of the fingers (cutaneous syndactyly) of the hand on the same side (the ipsilateral hand). In most affected individuals, the missing part is the large section of the muscle that normally attaches to the upper arm on one side and the breastbone (sternum) on the other. Other abnormalities may occur on the affected side of the torso. In some cases, additional muscles in the chest wall, side, and shoulder are missing or underdeveloped.
There may also be rib cage abnormalities, such as shortened ribs, and the ribs may be noticeable due to less fat under the skin (subcutaneous fat). Breast and nipple abnormalities may also occur, and underarm (axillary) hair is sometimes sparse or abnormally placed. In most cases, the abnormalities in the chest area do not cause health problems or affect movement. Poland syndrome most often affects the right side of the body, and occurs more often in males than in females.
It is usually considered a unilateral condition. Some have claimed that the term can be applied in bilateral presentation, but others recommend using alternate terminology in those cases.
Wiedemann–Rautenstrauch (WR) syndrome , also known as neonatal progeroid syndrome, is an autosomal recessive progeroid syndrome.
WR was first reported by Rautenstrauch and Snigula in 1977; and the earliest reports made subsequently have been by Wiedemann in 1979, by Devos in 1981, and Rudin in 1988. There have been over 30 cases of WR.
WR is associated with abnormalities in bone maturation, and lipids and hormone metabolism. Affected individuals exhibit intrauterine and postnatal growth retardation, leading to short stature and an aged appearance from birth. They have physical abnormalities including a large head (macrocephaly), sparse hair, prominent scalp veins, inward-folded eyelid (entropion), widened anterior fontanelles, hollow cheeks (malar hypoplasia), general loss of fat tissues under the skin (lipoatrophy), delayed tooth eruption, abnormal hair pattern (hypotrichosis), beaked nose, mild to severe mental retardation and dysmorphism.
Marfan lipodystrophy syndrome (MFLS) has sometimes been confused with Wiedemann–Rautenstrauch syndrome, since the Marfanoid features are progressive and sometimes incomplete. MFLS is caused by mutations near the 3'-terminus of "FBN1" that cause a deficiency of the protein hormone asprosin and progeroid-like symptoms with reduced subcutaneous white adipose tissue.
The syndrome causes cerebellar ataxia (balance and coordination problems), mental retardation, congenital cataracts in early childhood, muscle weakness, inability to chew food, thin brittle fingernails, and sparse hair.
Small stature, mild to severe mental retardation and dysarthria (slow, imprecise speech) are usually present.
Various skeletal abnormalities (e.g., curvature of the spine) and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism often occur.
Muscle weakness is progressive, but life expectancy is near normal.
Zori–Stalker–Williams syndrome, also known as pectus excavatum, macrocephaly, short stature and dysplastic nails, is a rare autosomal dominant congenital disorder associated with a range of features such as pectus excavatum, macrocephaly and dysplastic nails, familial short stature, developmental delay and distinctive facies. Further signs are known to be associated with this syndrome.
The name originates from the researchers who first defined and noticed the syndrome and its clinical signs.
It is believed that the syndrome is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, though there has been no new research undertaken for this rare disease.
Most of the readily visible signs are associated with the skeletal system. Many individuals with Marfan syndrome grow to above-average height, and some have disproportionately long, slender limbs with thin, weak wrists and long fingers and toes. Besides affecting height and limb proportions, people with Marfan syndrome may have abnormal lateral curvature of the spine (scoliosis), thoracic lordosis, abnormal indentation (pectus excavatum) or protrusion (pectus carinatum) of the sternum, abnormal joint flexibility, a high-arched palate with crowded teeth and an overbite, flat feet, hammer toes, stooped shoulders, and unexplained stretch marks on the skin. It can also cause pain in the joints, bones and muscles. Some people with Marfan have speech disorders resulting from symptomatic high palates and small jaws. Early osteoarthritis may occur. Other signs include limited range of motion in the hips due to the femoral head protruding into abnormally deep hip sockets.
The following signs are associated with the disease
- Abnormal heart development
- Abnormal skeletal development
- Hypermobile joints
- Large fingers
- Knock-knees
- Widely spaced teeth
- Bell-shaped chest (flared ribs)
- Compression of spinal cord
- Enlarged heart
- Dwarfism
- Heart murmur
- below average height for certain age
Patients with Morquio syndrome appear healthy at birth. They often present with spinal deformity, and there is growth retardation and possibly genu valgum in the second or third year of life. A patient with Morquio's syndrome is likely to die at an early age. Symptoms of the disease may include:
- Short stature and short neck (caused by flat vertebrae)
- Moderate kyphosis or scoliosis
- Mild pectus carinatum ("pigeon chest")
- Cervical spine: odontoid hypoplasia, atlanto-axial instability; may be associated with myelopathy with gradual loss of walking ability
- Joint laxity, mild dysostosis multiplex, dysplastic hips, large unstable knees, large elbows and wrists, and flat feet
- The combined abnormalities usually result in a duck-waddling gait
- Mid-face hypoplasia and mandibular protrusion
- Thin tooth enamel
- Corneal clouding
- Mild hepatosplenomegaly
Regarding the life span of people with Morquio, some can die as early as 2 or 3 years old, and some can live up to 60 or 70 years old. The oldest known person with Morquio syndrome type IV A was Kenneth D. Martin, who was born in Osage City, Kansas, USA and was 81 years old at the time of his death
Achard syndrome is a syndrome consisting of arachnodactyly, receding lower jaw, and joint laxity limited to the hands and feet. Hypermobility and subluxations of the joints, increased lateral excursion of the patellas and other findings reflect the increased ligament laxity. It is clinically similar to Marfan syndrome.
More than 30 different signs and symptoms are variably associated with Marfan syndrome. The most prominent of these affect the skeletal, cardiovascular, and ocular systems, but all fibrous connective tissue throughout the body can be affected.
One of the most prominent and visible symptoms of Nevo Syndrome is the prenatal overgrowth, which continues into the infant and toddler stage. This excessive weight gain can be attributed to the low concentrations of growth hormone and insulin growth factor that are normally present to regulate weight gain. Other common symptoms associated with Nevo Syndrome are the outward wrist-drop, edema in hands and feet, undescended testes, low-set ears, hypotonia, the presence of low muscle tone in children, and long tapered fingers, and a highly arched palate.
An alternative name of the condition, LEOPARD syndrome, is a mnemonic, originally coined in 1969, as the condition is characterized by some of the following seven conditions, the first letters of which spell LEOPARD, along with the characteristic "freckling" of the skin, caused by the lentigines that is reminiscent of the large cat.
- Lentigines — Reddish-brown to dark brown macules (surface skin lesion) generally occurring in a high number (10,000+) over a large portion of the skin, at times higher than 80% coverage. These can even appear inside the mouth (buccal), or on the surface of the eye (scleral). These have irregular borders and range in size from 1 mm in diameter to café-au-lait spots, several centimeters in diameter. Also, some areas of vitiligo-like hypopigmentation may be observed.
- Electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities: Generally observed on an electrocardiograph as a bundle branch block.
- Ocular hypertelorism: Wideset eyes, which lead to a similar facial resemblance between patients. Facial abnormalities are the second highest occurring symptom after the lentigines. Abnormalities also include: broad nasal root, prognathism (protruding lower jaw), or low-set, possibly rotated, ears.
- Pulmonary stenosis: Narrowing of the pulmonary artery as it exits the heart. Other cardiac abnormalities may be present, including aortic stenosis, or mitral valve prolapse.
- Abnormal genitalia: usually cryptorchidism (retention of testicles in body) or monorchism (single testicle). In female patients, this presents as missing or single ovaries, much harder by nature to detect. Ultrasound imaging is performed at regular intervals, from the age of 1 year, to determine if ovaries are present.
- Retarded growth: Slow, or stunted growth. Most newborns with this syndrome are of normal birth weight and length, but will often slow within the first year.
- Deafness: Sensorineural (nerve deafness).
The presence of all of these hallmarks is not needed for a diagnosis. A clinical diagnosis is considered made when, with lentigines present there are 2 other symptoms observed, such as ECG abnormalities and ocular hypertelorism, or without lentigines, 3 of the above conditions are present, with a first-degree relative (i.e. parent, child, sibling) with a clinical diagnosis.
- Additional dermatologic abnormalities (axillary freckling, localized hypopigmentation, interdigital webbing, hyperelastic skin)
- Mild mental retardation is observed in about 30% of those affected with the syndrome
- Nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), seizures, or hyposmia (reduced ability to smell) has been documented in a few patients
- In 2004, a patient was reported with recurrent upper extremity aneurysms that required surgical repairs.
- In 2006, a NSML patient was reported with acute myelogenous leukemia.
Due to the rarity of the syndrome itself, it is hard to determine whether certain additional diseases are actually part of the syndrome. With a base population of possibly less than one thousand individuals, one or two outlying cases can skew the statistical population very quickly.
Gerodermia osteodysplastica is characterized by symptoms and features which affect the connective tissues, skin and skeletal system.
These are: wrinkly, loose skin over the face, abdomen, and extremites (hands, feet) on the dorsal sides usually worsened by chronic joint laxity and hyperextensibility; fragmented elastic fibers of the skin that are reduced in number, with disorientation of collagen fibers; osteopenia and osteoporosis, with associated fractures; malar hypoplasia (underdeveloped cheek bone), maxillary hypoplasia (underdeveloped upper jaw), mandibular prognathism (protrusion of the lower jaw and chin), bowed long bones, platyspondyly (flattened spine) related to vertebral collapse; kyphoscoliosis (scoliosis with kyphosis, or "hunch back"), metaphyseal peg (an unusual outgrowth of metaphyseal tissue which protrudes into the epiphyseal region of the bone, near the knee); and the overall physical effects and facial appearance of dwarfism with premature aging.
Other features and findings include: intrauterine growth retardation, congenital hip dislocations, winged scapulae (shoulder blades), pes planus (fallen arches), pseudoepiphyses of the second metacarpals (upper bone of the fingers), hypotelorism (close-set eyes), malformed ears,
developmental delay,
failure to thrive and abnormal electroencephalograph (EEG) readings.
Dental and orthodontal abnormalities in addition to maxillary hypoplasia and mandibular prognathism have also been observed in gerodermia osteodysplastica. Including malocclusion of the dental arches (the maxilla and mandible), radiological findings in some cases have indicated significant overgrowth of the mandibular premolar and molar roots;
hypercementosis (overproduction of cementum) of the molars and maxillary incisors; enlarged, funnel-shaped mandibular lingula (spiny structures on the ramus of the mandible); and a radiolucent effect on portions of many teeth, increasing their transparency to x-rays.
Scheie syndrome (also known as "MPS I-S") is less severe version of Hurler syndrome. It is a condition characterized by corneal clouding, facial dysmorphism, and normal lifespan. People with this condition may have aortic regurgitation.
The features of this condition include
- Facial dysmorphism
- Short stature
- Mild motor control and learning difficulties
- Mild ataxia
- Microcephaly
- Normal intelligence
- Conjunctival telangiectasia
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Decreased serum IgA
- Late onset of pulmonary fibrosis
- Increased alpha-fetoprotein
- Increased radiosensitivity
Genitopatellar syndrome is a rare disorder with characteristic craniofacial features, congenital flexion contractures of the lower limbs, absent or abnormal patellae, urogenital anomalies, and severe psychomotor retardation.
In 2012, it was shown that mutations in the gene KAT6B cause the syndrome.
With so few described cases, establishing the basic pathophysiological mechanisms or genetic abnormalities has not been possible.