The Causes, Symptoms and Complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the name for several rare, genetic diseases that affect collagen. Collagen is a protein that is found all over the body and helps to strengthen connective tissue and allow joints to be flexible. A person who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome doesn’t have enough normal collagen, which affects their bones, muscles, skin and blood vessels. They usually have loose joints that can be dislocated easily and unusually soft skin that is very stretchable and easily bruised.

Information. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome occurs in 1 in about 2500 to 5000 births, but this is an estimate because some people with very mild symptoms don’t seek medical treatment. Most people who have the disorder are diagnosed when they are children.

The characteristics of the skin of an Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patient make wound healing challenging, especially if the wound needs suturing. Doctors often need to add sutures that are unusually deep-seated in a person who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, otherwise the stitches will come out. There is no cure for the condition, but it can be managed. Most patients live a normal life span.