Recent studies have evaluated possible links between polymorphisms in maternal folate metabolism genes and Down syndrome. Some of these studies show a significantly increased prevalence of the C677T polymorphism of... Read more...
This article examines the prevalence of medical problems in children and teenagers with Down syndrome in Hong Kong, based on a review of medical records of over 400 individuals aged... Read more...
Index
Reports
Original scientific papers reporting the results of studies and trials.
Medical conditions and medication use in adults with Down syndrome
This Report describes the findings of a review of the medical records held
by a US teaching hospital for 141 adults with Down syndrome aged between 30 to 65
years. Approximately 75 of older adults with Down syndrome in the sample experienced
memory loss and dementia. Hypothyroidism, seizures, and skin problems also occurred
commonly. The prevalence of solid tumour cancers and hypertension was extremely
low. The older adults with Down syndrome used anticonvulsant more often than the
younger adults in the sample. The use of multivitamins and medications such as pain
relievers, prophylactic antibiotics, and topical ointments was common.
Medical issues among children and teenagers with Down syndrome in Hong Kong
This Report by Yam and colleagues examines the prevalence of medical problems
in children and teenagers with Down syndrome in Hong Kong, based on a review of
the hospital medical records for 407 children under 18 years old. The prevalence
of medical problems was found to be high amongst these children and teenagers, similar
to reported prevalence for children with Down syndrome in other countries. Cardiovascular
problems were observed in 216 (53%), endocrine problems in 111 (27%), gastrointestinal
problems in 46 (11%), haematological problems in 18 (4%), neurological problems
in 27 (7%), sleep problems in 36 (9%), skeletal problems in 56 (14%), visual problems
in 195 (48%) and auditory problems in 137 (34%).
Parents' perceptions of health and physical activity needs of children with Down
syndrome
This Report presents a study of parents' perceptions of the health and
physical activity needs of their children with Down syndrome. Through focus groups,
the study identified the following most salient themes: (1) all parents believed
participation in physical activity has immediate and long-term positive health impacts
on their child with Down syndrome, and most of the parents thought their child would
benefit from being more physically active, (2) most parents observed that their
child participated in physical activities primarily for social reasons, most notably
to be with their peers with or without Down syndrome or to be with their sibling(s),
and that without such motivation their child would choose sedentary activities,
(3) parents of teenagers identified a need for their child to learn an individual
sport to have sporting opportunities that do not require ability-matched teammates
and opponents, and (4) parents recognised their need for help from physical activity
specialists.