[Psychosexual problem in young people with Down syndrome in parents' opinions - personal experience]

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder affecting psychomotor and psychosexual development connected with mental retardation and endocrine disorders. This study aimed to assess the physical and psychosexual development of adolescents with DS.

The subjects were 33 adolescents with DS (aged 11-26 years) and their parents. The research is based on the anthropometric measurements of children and questionnaire for parents asking about sexual development of their child and opinion about the sexual life of people with DS.

Most of parents noticed signs of physical sexual development. Over 60% of adolescents reacted to these changes showing interest. About 70% of girls had menarche. 91% of parents observed changes in behavior - instability of mood, revolt and shame. 37% of parents talked with their child on sexual topics, most of them answered to child's interest. 47% of youth, especially boys, showed interest in opposite sex. Half of the youth had plans of having a family, nevertheless most of parents did not approve starting family by their children. When asked about means of contraception, parents preferred contraceptive pills and sterilization. 34% of parents would panic at the information of their children's pregnancy. 23% wouldn't accept marriage between adults with DS, 66% were against having offspring by them.

The psychosexual development of people with DS is characterized by similar problems as the puberty of healthy adolescents. The essential issue is the necessity of the sex education and support for youth with DS, which will allow to avoid sexual abuse as well as asexual treatment of adolescents.