Vascular Ehlers-Danlos
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos (vEDS) is inherited by autosomal dominant heterozygous mutation in the COL3A1 gene, encoding type III collagen, with the rare exception fo specific heterozygous arginine-to-cystetine substitution mutations in COL1A1. In very rare instances, biallelic pathogenic variations in COL3A1 may be identified.
Minimal criteria to suggest a vEDS diagnoses are family history or the disorder, arterial rupture or dissection in individuals <40yrs of age, unexplained sigmoid colon rupture, or spontaneous pneumothorax in the presence of other features suggestive of vEDS.
​
Molecular testing is required to confirm a diagnosis. Absence of confirmatory findings does not exclude the diagnosis, specific types of mutations may go undetected by standard diagnostic molecular techniques.
​
Major Criteria:
1. Family history of vEDS with a documented causative variant in COL3A1:
2. Arterial rupture at a young age;
3. Spontaneous sigmoid colon perforations in the absence of known diverticular disease or other bowel pathology;
4. Uterine rupture during the third trimester in the absence of previous C-Section and/or severe peripartum perineum tears: and
5. Carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCSF) formation in the absence of trauma.
​
Minor Criteria:
1. Bruising unrelated to identified trauma and/or in unusual sites such as cheeks and back;
2. Thin, translucent skin with increased venous visibility;
3. Characteristic facial appearance;
4. Spontaneous pneumothorax:
5. Acrogeria:
6. Talipes equinovarus;
7. Congenital hip dislocation;
8. hypermobility of small joints;
9. Tendon and muscle rupture;
10. Keratoconus;
11. Gingival recession and gingival fragility;
12. Early-onset varicose veins (<30yrs and nulliparous if female)
​
For more information see The Ehlers-Danlos Society
​
There is extra support/awareness out there for vEDS patient with Red4vEDS Day
​
References
The 2017 International Classification of the Ehlers–Danlos Syndromes