Ehlers-Danlos syndrome hypermobility type, also known as Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, or sometimes hEDS, is the most common hereditary disorder of the connective tissue. It is characterized by tissue fragility, joint hypermobility, and a wide range of articular and non-articular manifestations, which often appear in infancy (and in girls more regularly than boys). The clinical picture of hEDS is poorly recognised by the medical community. The common descriptor is known by the acronym, "ESSENCE" (Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations).
The syndrome can present more widely than joint abnormality. It is not unusual to note hyperactivity or hypoactivity, inattention, speech and language problems, and trouble with social interaction, behavior, sleep, feeding, and emotional management.
Children with hEDS present ESSENCE problems that often coexist and tend to be recognized before the hEDS. Clinicians should consider the possibility that this may be influencing their neurodevelopmental attributes. Awareness of these interconnected clinical problems can help improve early referral, diagnosis and treatment.
MyoNews from BreatheWorksTM is a report on trends and developments in oromyofunctional disorder and therapy. These updates are not intended as diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease or syndrome.