A new Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with craniofacial characteristics, multiple congenital contractures, progressive joint and skin laxity, and multisystem fragility-related manifestations

Am J Med Genet A. 2010 Jun;152A(6):1333-46. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33498.

Abstract

We previously described two unrelated patients showing characteristic facial and skeletal features, overlapping with the kyphoscoliosis type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) but without lysyl hydroxylase deficiency [Kosho et al. (2005) Am J Med Genet Part A 138A:282-287]. After observations of them over time and encounter with four additional unrelated patients, we have concluded that they represent a new clinically recognizable type of EDS with distinct craniofacial characteristics, multiple congenital contractures, progressive joint and skin laxity, and multisystem fragility-related manifestations. The patients exhibited strikingly similar features according to their age: craniofacial, large fontanelle, hypertelorism, short and downslanting palpebral fissures, blue sclerae, short nose with hypoplastic columella, low-set and rotated ears, high palate, long philtrum, thin vermilion of the upper lip, small mouth, and micro-retrognathia in infancy; slender and asymmetric face with protruding jaw from adolescence; skeletal, congenital contractures of fingers, wrists, and hips, and talipes equinovarus with anomalous insertions of flexor muscles; progressive joint laxity with recurrent dislocations; slender and/or cylindrical fingers and progressive talipes valgus and cavum or planus, with diaphyseal narrowing of phalanges, metacarpals, and metatarsals; pectus deformities; scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis with decreased physiological curvatures of thoracic spines and tall vertebrae; cutaneous, progressive hyperextensibility, bruisability, and fragility with atrophic scars; fine palmar creases in childhood to acrogeria-like prominent wrinkles in adulthood, recurrent subcutaneous infections with fistula formation; cardiovascular, cardiac valve abnormalities, recurrent large subcutaneous hematomas from childhood; gastrointestinal, constipation, diverticula perforation; respiratory, (hemo)pneumothorax; and ophthalmological, strabismus, glaucoma, refractive errors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / classification
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / diagnosis*
  • Abnormalities, Multiple / genetics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child, Preschool
  • Contracture / classification
  • Contracture / diagnosis*
  • Contracture / genetics
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / classification
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / diagnosis*
  • Craniofacial Abnormalities / genetics
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / classification
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Joints / abnormalities*
  • Male
  • Skin Abnormalities / classification
  • Skin Abnormalities / diagnosis
  • Skin Abnormalities / genetics
  • Young Adult