What you need to know
- No special diet is required for EDS, although a well-balanced diet is important.
- The list of possible medical problems in each type of EDS can be extensive. However, each individual usually has only some of these problems. Also, the severity of any one of these medical problems varies widely between individuals. Therefore, it is important to ask the parents about the medical issues in their child.
- A child with EDS Classical Type or EDS Vascular Type may wear a medical ID bracelet.
- School age children with EDS may have annual doctor and specialist visits to monitor medical conditions.
What you can do
- A yearly check-up and studies as needed should occur in the child’s Medical Home.
- Discuss pain management plan with parents
- Use anti-inflammatories as appropriate
- Allow storage of ice pack/gel packs at school
- Avoid aspirin
- Individuals may complain of frequent stomach-aches due to reflux, delayed emptying, irritable bowel, etc.
- A plan should be in place for dealing with these symptoms
- It is important to address injuries quickly. Children with dysautonomia may not report pain.
- Regular eye exams
- Be aware of any changes in behavior or mood that seem out of line with the situation and notify the parents.
- It is important to be aware of any academic changes. Contact parents when any differences are noticed.