National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome


Other Names:
Arthrochalasis multiplex congenita; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 7A (formerly); EDS7A (formerly); Arthrochalasis multiplex congenita; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type 7A (formerly); EDS7A (formerly); Arthrochalasia EDS; aEDS; Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, arthrochalasia type See More
Categories:
This disease is grouped under:
Arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (aEDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder that is caused by defects in a protein called collagen. Common symptoms include severe joint hypermobility; congenital hip dislocation; fragile, hyperextensible skin; hypotonia; and kyphoscoliosis (kyphosis and scoliosis).[1][2] EDS, arthrochalasia type is caused by changes (mutations) in the COL1A1 gene or the COL1A2 gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.[3][4] Treatment and management is focused on preventing serious complications and relieving associated signs and symptoms.[5]
Last updated: 4/21/2017
The signs and symptoms of arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) vary but may include:[2][3][1]
Last updated: 4/21/2017

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Showing of 44 |
Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Abnormality of subcutaneous fat tissue
Abnormality of fatty tissue below the skin
0001001
Aphasia
Difficulty finding words
Losing words
Loss of words
[ more ] 		0002381
Avascular necrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis 0005743
Coxa valga 0002673
Coxa vara 0002812
Dysphasia 0002357
Echolalia
Echoing another person's speech
0010529
Hip dislocation
Dislocated hips
Dislocation of hip
[ more ] 		0002827
Hip dysplasia 0001385
Hyperextensible skin
Hyperelastic skin
Skin hyperelasticity
Stretchable skin
[ more ] 		0000974
Joint hyperflexibility
Joints move beyond expected range of motion
0005692
Joint stiffness
Stiff joint
Stiff joints
[ more ] 		0001387
Muscle flaccidity 0010547
Muscular hypotonia
Low or weak muscle tone
0001252
Mutism
Inability to speak
Muteness
[ more ] 		0002300
Scarring 0100699
Severe short stature
Dwarfism
Proportionate dwarfism
Short stature, severe
[ more ] 		0003510
Thin skin 0000963
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Depressed nasal bridge
Depressed bridge of nose
Flat bridge of nose
Flat nasal bridge
Flat, nasal bridge
Flattened nasal bridge
Low nasal bridge
Low nasal root
[ more ] 		0005280
Epicanthus
Eye folds
Prominent eye folds
[ more ] 		0000286
Hypertelorism
Wide-set eyes
Widely spaced eyes
[ more ] 		0000316
Micrognathia
Little lower jaw
Small jaw
Small lower jaw
[ more ] 		0000347
Retrognathia
Receding chin
Receding lower jaw
Weak chin
Weak jaw
[ more ] 		0000278
Scoliosis 0002650
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Femoral hernia 0100541
Inguinal hernia 0000023
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Atrophic scars
Sunken or indented skin due to damage
0001075
Autosomal dominant inheritance 0000006
Breech presentation
Feet or buttocks of fetus positioned near opening of uterus
0001623
Bruising susceptibility
Bruise easily
Easy bruisability
Easy bruising
[ more ] 		0000978
Congenital bilateral hip dislocation 0008780
Delayed gross motor development
Delayed motor skills
0002194
Generalized hypotonia
Decreased muscle tone
Low muscle tone
[ more ] 		0001290
Increased susceptibility to fractures
Abnormal susceptibility to fractures
Bone fragility
Frequent broken bones
Increased bone fragility
Increased tendency to fractures
[ more ] 		0002659
Joint laxity
Joint instability
Lax joints
Loose-jointedness
Loosejointedness
[ more ] 		0001388
Joint subluxation 0032153
Kyphosis
Hunched back
Round back
[ more ] 		0002808
Malar flattening
Zygomatic flattening
0000272
Midface retrusion
Decreased size of midface
Midface deficiency
Underdevelopment of midface
[ more ] 		0011800
Mild short stature 0003502
Osteopenia 0000938
Poor wound healing 0001058
Premature osteoarthritis
Premature arthritis
0003088
Soft skin 0000977
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Last updated: 7/1/2020
Arthrochalasia EDS (aEDS) is caused by changes (mutations) in the COL1A1 gene or the COL1A2 gene.[6][4] These genes provide instructions for making a component of type I collagen. Collagen is a protein that provides structure and strength to connective tissues throughout the body. Type I collagen, specifically, is the most abundant form of collagen in the human body. Mutations in COL1A1 or COL1A2 lead to structural abnormalities in type I collagen molecules. This weakens tissues that are rich in type I collagen, such as the skin, bones, and tendons and causes the many signs and symptoms associated with aEDS.[7][8]
Last updated: 4/21/2017
Arthrochalasia EDS is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner.[6] This means that to be affected, a person only needs a change (mutation) in one copy of the responsible gene in each cell. In some cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from an affected parent. Other cases may result from new (de novo) mutations in the gene. These cases occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. A person with EDS, arthrochalasia type has a 50% chance with each pregnancy of passing along the altered gene to his or her child.
Last updated: 4/21/2017
A diagnosis of arthrochalasia EDS is typically based on the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms. Genetic testing for a change (mutation) in COL1A1 or COL1A2 can then be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. [3][1]

Collagen typing performed on a skin biopsy may be recommended if genetic testing is inconclusive. Collagen is a tough, fiber-like protein that makes up about a third of body protein. It is part of the structure of tendons, bones, and connective tissues. People with aEDS  have abnormalities in type I collagen.[3][2]
Last updated: 4/21/2017

Testing Resources

  • The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR) provides information about the genetic tests for this condition. The intended audience for the GTR is health care providers and researchers. Patients and consumers with specific questions about a genetic test should contact a health care provider or a genetics professional.
The treatment of arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (aEDS) is focused on preventing serious complications and relieving associated signs and symptoms. For example, physical therapy may be recommended in children with severe hypotonia and delayed motor development. This treatment can also help improve joint stability. Assistive devices such as braces, wheelchairs, or scooters may be necessary depending on the severity of joint instability. Congenital hip dislocation and kyphoscoliosis (kyphosis and scoliosis) may require surgery. Because aEDS is associated with fragile skin, affected people, especially children, may need to wear protective bandages or pads over exposed areas, such as the knees, shins, and forehead. [5]

Please speak to your healthcare provider if you have any questions about your personal medical management plan.
Last updated: 4/21/2017

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Related diseases are conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. A health care provider may consider these conditions in the table below when making a diagnosis. Please note that the table may not include all the possible conditions related to this disease.

Conditions with similar signs and symptoms from Orphanet
Differential diagnosis includes Larsen syndrome, classical EDS (cEDS), dermatosparaxis EDS (dEDS), kyphoscoliotic EDS (kEDS) and musculocontractural EDS (mcEDS), Loeys-Dietz syndrome and autosomal recessive cutis laxa type 2B.
Visit the Orphanet disease page for more information.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.
  • The Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool (RePORT) provides access to reports, data, and analyses of research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including information on NIH expenditures and the results of NIH-supported research. Although these projects may not conduct studies on humans, you may want to contact the investigators to learn more. To search for studies, enter the disease name in the "Text Search" box. Then click "Submit Query".

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

  • RareConnect has an online community for patients and families with this condition so they can connect with others and share their experiences living with a rare disease. The project is a joint collaboration between EURORDIS (European Rare Disease Organisation) and NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders).

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Education Resources

  • The Genetics Education Materials for School Success (GEMSS) aims to assure that all children with genetic health conditions succeed in school-life. Their Web site offers general and condition-specific education resources to help teachers and parents better understand the needs of students who have genetic conditions.

Community Resources

  • The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has information on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues related to this condition. JAN is a service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy in the U.S. Department of Labor.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
    Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
    Genetics of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
  • 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 Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Arthrochalasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Pauker SP & Stoler J. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. UpToDate. February 22, 2016; http://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis-of-ehlers-danlos-syndromes.
  2. Klaassens M1, Reinstein E, Hilhorst-Hofstee Y, Schrander JJ, Malfait F, Staal H, ten Have LC, Blaauw J, Roggeveen HC, Krakow D, De Paepe A, van Steensel MA, Pals G, Graham JM Jr, Schrander-Stumpel CT. Ehlers-Danlos arthrochalasia type (VIIA-B)--expanding the phenotype: from prenatal life through adulthood. Clin Genet. August 2012; 82(2):121-130.
  3. Defendi GL. Genetics of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Medscape Reference. August, 2015; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/943567-overview.
  4. Malfait F, Francomano C, Byers P et al. The 2017 international classification of the Ehlers–Danlos syndromes. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. March, 2017; 175(1):8-26. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajmg.c.31552/full.
  5. Pauker SP & Stoler J. Overview of the management of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. UpToDate. 2016; http://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-the-management-of-ehlers-danlos-syndromes.
  6. Fransiska Malfait, MD, PhD, Richard Wenstrup, MD, and Anne De Paepe, MD, PhD. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Classic Type. GeneReviews. August 2011; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1244/.
  7. COL1A2. Genetics Home Reference. November 2007; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/COL1A2.
  8. COL1A1. Genetics Home Reference. April 2013; http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/COL1A1.