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Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a group of inherited tissue disorders. This syndrome affects collagen, which plays a major role in holding together, strengthening, and providing elasticity to body cells and tissues.

Symptoms and signs of EDS include abnormally flexible, loose joints that may easily become dislocated; unusually loose, thin, stretchy (elastic) skin; and excessive fragility of the skin, blood vessels, and other body tissues and membranes.

The many types of EDS are classified using Roman numerals (EDS I to EDS XI), based upon each type's symptoms, signs, and underlying cause.

Author Robin Parks, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David A. Szalay, MD
- Vascular Surgery
Last Updated March 7, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 07, 2008
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