Gait analysis in Down syndrome pediatric patients using a sheet-type gait analyzer: Pilot study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Biomechanical Analysis

Background:

• Children with Down syndrome (DS) frequently experience musculoskeletal issues and exhibit distinct walking patterns.
• Limited research exists on the specific gait development patterns in young children with DS.
• This study investigates gait development in young DS children using established gait maturity parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the gait development patterns in young children diagnosed with Down syndrome.
• To compare gait parameters in DS children with those of typically developing children.
• To explore the relationship between age and specific gait parameters in DS children.

Main Methods:

• Gait analysis was performed on 63 children with Down syndrome (aged 1-6 years) prescribed orthotic insoles.
• Key gait variables measured included walking velocity, cadence, step length, and single-limb stance (SLS) phase ratio.
• Regression analysis examined the association between these gait parameters and the children's age.

Main Results:

• Walking velocity and step length showed a significant positive correlation with age.
• Cadence demonstrated a significant negative association with age.
• The single-limb stance phase ratio did not exhibit a statistically significant relationship with age in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Young children with Down syndrome exhibit unique gait development trajectories compared to typical development.
• While velocity, cadence, and step length evolve with age, the SLS phase ratio remains consistent.
• Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to validate these findings.