PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Howard, F M TI - Lax ligament syndrome in children associated with blue sclera and bat ears. DP - 1990 Jun 01 TA - British Journal of General Practice PG - 233--235 VI - 40 IP - 335 4099 - http://bjgp.org/content/40/335/233.short 4100 - http://bjgp.org/content/40/335/233.full SO - Br J Gen Pract1990 Jun 01; 40 AB - The child that is slow to walk causes concern. When cerebral palsy, mental retardation and muscular dystrophy have been excluded, what remains? Thirty five children (19 boys and 16 girls) with hypermobile joints, blue sclera and bat ears (the 'lax ligament syndrome') were referred by general practitioners to a general paediatric outpatient clinic over two years. Three were referred in the first three months of life because of clicking hips; 14 children aged one to two years, had delayed milestones of motor development and exhibited bottom shuffling; 10 children aged four to five years presented with 'growing pains' or 'funny gait' and eight older children had multiple minor complaints. The lax ligament syndrome is a comparatively common mild collagenopathy. It may well come to light on routine surveillance in general practice. It is dominantly inherited and improves with time; management is therefore expectant and symptomatic. A firm and reassuring diagnosis can be given which saves both anxiety and investigations.