[Photoelasticity study of feet in Down syndrome]

Developmental studies of postural regulations have contributed to a field of developmental neurology, and one of the most efficient approaches may be a measurement of plantar contact pressure patterns. In the present study, a photoelasticity technique which can visualize the loading force as isochromatic circle patterns was used as a "sensor" part for quantification of plantar pressure. Children with Down syndrome (DS) (n = 18) known to have marked muscular hypotonicity were examined as a clinical model for functional evaluation of plantar arches in respect to body-weight-loading distribution. The results showed that the first fringe number in DS is significantly increased and Cv value for the local force supporting the body weight of DS children is significantly decreased. This type of analytical method proves to be useful for objective evaluation of musculo-skeletal functions of feet under the condition of standing upright at rest.