Selected Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue and Disability

Heritable disorders of connective tissue (HDCTs) are a diverse group of inherited genetic disorders and subtypes. Because connective tissue is found throughout the body, the impairments associated with HDCTs manifest in multiple body systems and may change or vary in severity throughout an affected individual's lifetime.

In some cases, these impairments may be severe enough to qualify an eligible child or adult for monetary benefits through the U.S.

Social Security Administration's (SSA's) Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income program.

SSA asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to convene an expert committee that would provide current information regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of selected HDCTs, including Marfan syndrome and the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, and the effect of the disorders and their treatment on functioning.

The resulting report, Selected Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue and Disability, presents the committee's findings and conclusions. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction2 Overview of Hereditary Disorders of Connective Tissue3 Marfan Syndrome and Related Hereditary Aortopathies4 Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders5 Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue and Effects on Function6 Overall ConclusionsAppendix A: Public Session AgendasAppendix B: Commissioned PaperAppendix C: Selected ResourcesAppendix D: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members