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Published on: March 4, 2018
Early detection of podiatric anomalies in children with Down syndrome
Daniela Concolino1, Antonietta Pasquzzi, Giuseppe Capalbo
1Department of Paediatrics, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy. dconcolino@unicz.it
Insights
Regular podiatric evaluations are crucial for children with Down syndrome to detect and manage common foot deformities and postural issues early. Early intervention can significantly improve orthopedic health in this population.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Down syndrome is associated with a higher incidence of orthopedic issues.
- Early detection and management of these issues are vital for patient well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the significance of podiatric evaluations in identifying orthopedic problems in children with Down syndrome.
- To emphasize the role of podiatry in early diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 50 children with Down syndrome (ages 4-10) and 100 healthy children.
- Comprehensive podiatric examinations were conducted on all participants.
Main Results:
- Children with Down syndrome exhibited a high prevalence of forefoot deformities (90%), flat feet (60%), calcaneal valgus (24%), and knee valgus (22%).
- These anomalies correlated with postural alterations, confirmed by baropodometric analysis.
Conclusions:
- There is a significantly higher occurrence of minor orthopedic alterations in children with Down syndrome.
- Routine podiatric examinations are recommended for ongoing care and management.
Aims:
To verify the importance of podiatric evaluation in patients with Down syndrome for the early diagnosis and treatment of minor orthopaedic problems.
Methods:
Case-control study of 50 children affected by Down syndrome (aged 4-10 y) without major orthopaedic malformations compared to 100 healthy children. A complete podiatric examination was performed on all patients and controls.
Results:
Children with Down syndrome showed several orthopaedic anomalies including bony deformity of the forefoot (90%), flat foot (60%), isolated calcaneal valgus (24%), knee valgus (22%) and pronated flat foot (16%). These abnormalities were responsible for postural alterations as confirmed by baropodometric examination.
Conclusion:
The data demonstrated a greater incidence of minor orthopaedic alterations and suggest the necessity of regular podiatric examinations in the follow-up of this syndrome.
