Medical problems in children with Down syndrome

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a major cause of mental retardation of prenatal origin and has several associated co-morbidities involving cardiovascular system, respiratory, endocrine system, hematological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, eye and ear defects, immunological changes and neurological system. This study was conducted to identify the common medical problems in children with Down syndrome and the morbidity associated with these conditions. The objective of the present study was to find out the occurrence of different medical problems in children with DS.Methods: 42 children with a phenotype of Down syndrome in the age group of 0-12 years attending the outpatient, inpatient and Down syndrome Clinic of the Institute of Child Health, Kottayam during the study period were included in the study by purposive sampling. Demographic details were entered, and Pediatric Clinical Examination was performed by the investigator himself to identify the medical problems. Old medical reports were reviewed, and data entered into a proforma and statistically analysed.Results: Out of the 42 children with DS, 22 were males. 15 (35.7%) were less than 1 year, 20 (48.3%) children 1-5 years and 7 (16.1%) children 5-12 years of age. Mean age of the study group was 1.78±0.51 years. Mean age of their mothers at the time of conception was 30.6±5.8 years. 26 (57%) children with Down syndrome had a medical problem during the neonatal period which required hospitalization. Almost all systems are affected and craniofacial features, developmental delay and hypotonia were universal. Various forms of congenital heart diseases were observed in 67% and hypothyroidism in 23.8%.Conclusions: Down syndrome is a common genetic disorder with multisystem involvement. Congenital heart diseases, hypothyroidism and recurrent respiratory infections were the common medical problems identified in this study.

Association of Comorbid with Developmental Quotient in Down Syndrome Children

“…Global developmental delay is predicted occur in children with DS, which affects motor, cognitive, language, and personal skills [25], [26]. This is in accordance with research in Aoki et al [26] which showed that the speed of development of children with DS was found to be slower than that of children with DS.…”

“…This delay is associated with the large number of comorbidities present in children with DS [26]. Vadakedom et al [25] in their study found that most of the samples were globally delayed with hypotonic conditions. Delays in motor area in children with DS are predictable related to hypotonia conditions that occur in children with DS, including primitive reflexes and joint hypermobility that affect the ability to control posture so that they play role in movement and motor coordination.…”

The prevalence and spectrum of thyroid dysfunction among children with Down syndrome attending the paediatric services at two tertiary hospitals in Pretoria, South Africa

“…Multisystemic involvement including thyroid dysfunction can cause significant morbidity if left untreated. [15] The thyroid hormone plays a vital role in metabolism, growth and development of children, especially in infancy. [16] The clinical presentation of hypothyroidism in an older child can be missed, as the signs and symptoms can overlap with that of DS.…”

Fourth Ventricle Outlet Obstruction and Diverticular Enlargement of Luschka Foramina in a Child with Down Syndrome

“…The incidence is 1/750–1/1,100 live births [2]. Congenital malformations generally interest heart and gastrointestinal tract [3, 4]. Major brain abnormalities and hydrocephalus are extremely rare [5].…”