title: Ehlers-Danlos arthrochalasia type (VIIA-B)--expanding the phenotype: from prenatal life through adulthood.
abstract: The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) form a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited connective-tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, tissue fragility and skin abnormalities. Six subtypes have been well characterized based on clinical features and molecular genetic abnormalities. The arthrochalasia type EDS (formerly types VIIA and B) is characterized by severe generalized joint hypermobility with multiple dislocations including congenital bilateral dislocation of the hips, muscular hypotonia and distinct dysmorphic features. The diagnosis of the arthrochalasia type EDS is of importance in the neonatal period because of consequences of physical disability in later life. However, the differential diagnosis may be difficult because of overlap with other hypermobility syndromes. In addition, the significant hypotonia may direct the physician toward various neuromuscular diagnoses. As patients become older, the hypotonia decreases and facial features become less distinct. In this report, we describe seven patients at different ages. Timing of diagnosis varied from prenatal life to adult age. The diagnosis of EDS type VII was confirmed by biochemical studies or mutation analysis showing characteristic mutations in COL1A1 and COL1A2. These mutations result in skipping of exon 6, which leads to defective collagen synthesis. For physicians treating patients with EDS type VII, achieving mobility for the patient is the greatest challenge and it may be impossible because of recurrent dislocations of nearly all joints in severe cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. merel.klaassens@mumc.nl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klaassens
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reinstein
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hilhorst-Hofstee
authors.forename: J J P
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Schrander
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malfait
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Staal
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: ten Have
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blaauw
authors.forename: H C J
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Roggeveen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krakow
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Paepe
authors.forename: M A  M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: van Steensel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pals
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: C T R M
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Schrander-Stumpel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics; D004535:Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009154:Mutation; D010375:Pedigree; D010641:Phenotype; D022821:RNA Splice Sites; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D022821:RNA Splice Sites