Affiliation:
1. Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
2. Pediatric Gastroenterology Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati Ohio USA
3. Department of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati Ohio USA
4. Biostatistics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati Ohio USA
Abstract
AbstractThe gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations in children with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome/joint hypermobility syndrome (hEDS/JHS) are not well described. We investigated the prevalence of GI disorders in children and young adults with hEDS/JHS through a single‐center retrospective review. Demographic data, clinical history, symptoms, and diagnostic studies were reviewed. Of 435 patients with hEDS/JHS, 66% were females (age 5−28 years). We noted a high prevalence of constipation (61%), dysphagia (32%), dyspepsia and/or gastroparesis (25%), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) (21%), and celiac disease (4%) in our cohort. Upper endoscopy and gastric emptying scans had the highest yield to detect abnormalities. Motility studies were abnormal in 31% of the 80 patients who underwent them. Dysphagia symptoms are significantly associated with EoE. Thirty‐three percent of dysphagia patients had EoE, versus 16% of non‐dysphagia patients (p < 0.001). Screening hEDS/JHS patients for GI issues should be routine, with further investigations and referrals guided by identified symptoms.