Smartest Doc
Significant impact of recurrent respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome
Child: Care, Health, and Development, 07/11/2012
Verstegen RHJ et al. – In 8–year–olds with Down syndrome (DS), the children with parent–reported recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) show more delayed development, more behavioural problems and lower HRQoL compared with the children without RRTI. Although this association does not prove a causal relationship, further studies should focus on this, because RRTI are potentially preventable.
Methods- During a 3-year period, 325 children with DS were recruited for inclusion in this observational study.
- Parents were asked to fill in the Child Behavior Checklist and TNO-AZL Children's Quality of Life Parent Form.
- A psychological assistant administrated the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities.
- Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of RRTI, while correcting for the influence of confounders.
- Compared with RRTI- children (n = 176), RRTI+ children (n = 149, 46%) showed decreased mental and motor development (mean developmental age 3.67 vs. 4.08 years), more behavioural problems and lower scores on most HRQoL scales (P < 0.05).
- Moreover, school enrolment is less favourable in RRTI+ children.
