Individuals with EDS have a defect in their connective tissue, the tissue that provides support to many body parts such as the skin, muscles and ligaments. The fragile skin and unstable joints found in EDS are the result of faulty collagen. Collagen is a protein, which acts as a "glue" in the body, adding strength and elasticity to connective tissue. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders, characterized by articular (joint) hypermobility, skin extensibility and tissue fragility. There are six major types of EDS. The different types of EDS are classified according to their manifestations of signs and symptoms. Each type of EDS is a distinct disorder that "runs true" in a family. This means that an individual with Vascular Type EDS will not have a child with Classical Type EDS.
Susanne wrote: "Please include details of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, as Doctors tend to forget about it, especially if they are short. An endocrinologist told us we have it after viewing an xray of my daughters hand (while assisting us with her height)."
I have found the following websites of interest: Ehlers Danlos National Foundation and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Support Group.