COMORBID MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN INDIAN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Dr. Anila Chacko; Dr. Sumita Danda; Dr. Gibikote Sridhar; Dr. Vivi M. Srivastava

Volume : VI, Issue : IX, September - 2016

COMORBID MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN INDIAN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Dr. Anila Chacko, Dr. Sumita Danda, Dr. Gibikote Sridhar, Dr. Vivi M. Srivastava

Abstract :

Objective: To study associated medical conditions in Indian children with Down syndrome. Methods: A prospective study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital where consecutive children with Down syndrome were included. The presence of associated medical comorbidities – cardiac, thyroid, hematological, auditory, ophthalmological and skeletal were assessed. Results: Fifty six cytogenetically proven children with Down syndrome were enrolled in the study. Cardiac anomalies were detected in 42%. The common cardiac abnormalities were atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Twenty seven percent of children had thyroid abnormalities. Ophthalmologic abnormalities were detected in 46% and auditory abnormalities in 53%. Pre B Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was identified in 5.4% of the children and 12% of the children above 3 years had atlanto–axial dislocation. Conclusion: There are significant medical comorbidities in Indian children with Down syndrome. Addressing these issues early is important to improve the quality of life.