Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: insights on obstetric aspects

Abstract

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperelasticity, tissue fragility, easy bruising, and poor healing of wounds. The clinical manifestations vary depending on the type of disease. The syndrome may be associated with a number of pregnancy and peripartum complications. Because of the multiorgan involvement and varied presentation of this disease, no uniform or routine obstetric and anesthetic recommendations can be made for the perinatal care of these patients. We present a review of the literature on EDS with emphasis on the obstetric, anesthetic, and perinatal consequences. We also report our experience with this syndrome: an uneventful term vaginal delivery in a 32-year-old woman diagnosed with hypermobility type of EDS.

Target audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians.

Learning objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall the potentially severe nature of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) in both pregnant and nonpregnant patients, summarize the wide range of signs and symptoms and its genetic inheritance, and explain the difficulty in recommending obstetric and anesthesia procedures to avoid complications.