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Association between congenital heart defects and severe infections in children with Down syndrome

Paula Foresti Faria1, Juliana Augusta Zeglin Nicolau1, Marina Zaponi Melek1

  • 1Faculdade Evangélica do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil.

Revista Portuguesa De Cardiologia : Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade Portuguesa De Cardiologia = Portuguese Journal of Cardiology : an Official Journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
|January 11, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is common in children with Down syndrome (DS). This study found a strong link between CHD in DS patients and severe infections like pneumonia and sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Down syndrome (DS) is frequently associated with congenital heart disease (CHD).
  • Children with DS and CHD exhibit increased susceptibility to pulmonary infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and types of CHD in children with DS.
  • To analyze the association between CHD and severe infections in this population.
  • Focus on patients in southern Brazil.

Main Methods:

  • Consecutive inclusion of children aged 6–48 months with DS diagnosis.
  • Investigation period: May 2001 to May 2012.
  • Assessment of CHD presence, types, and severe infections (pneumonia, sepsis).

Main Results:

  • 89% of 127 DS patients had CHD; 37.7% required surgery.
  • Severe infections occurred in 23.6% (pneumonia) and 5.5% (sepsis).
  • CHD was significantly associated with pneumonia (70%) and sepsis (85%).

Conclusions:

  • High prevalence of CHD in DS children in southern Brazil.
  • Significant association between CHD and severe infections (pneumonia, sepsis) in DS patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
CardiopatiasCongenital heart diseaseDown syndromeInfectionsInfecçõesSíndrome de Down

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