Pediatric joint hypermobility: a diagnostic framework and narrative review.
This review discusses the complexities of diagnosing hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) in pediatric populations. Traditional diagnostic criteria, often developed for adults, have limited applicability in children due to developmental differences and the lack of biomarkers. The authors propose a new diagnostic framework tailored for children, considering generalized joint hypermobility, skin and tissue abnormalities, musculoskeletal complications, and comorbidities. They suggest using a Beighton score of ≥6/9 to identify generalized joint hypermobility in this age group and differentiate between various symptomatic groups. The framework aims to improve diagnosis and management by categorizing children into specific phenotypic and symptomatic groups, thus enhancing clinical care and research outcomes.
Published May 05, 2023
