Utilisation of health services over a one-year period by an adolescent population with Down syndrome

The utilisation of health services during a one-year period by an adolescent population with Down Syndrome (DS) was surveyed and compared to controls of the same age-group and same geographical area. The probands comprised 28 males (65%) and 15 females (35%). The controls comprised 22 males (40%) and 33 females (60%). Mean age: 17.6 years for probands and 17.4 years for controls. Day of census, 31 December 1985. Chronic diseases or conditions were found to be significantly more frequent among probands than among controls. Controls visited their general practitioner significantly more frequently than the probands, who utilised the services of practising specialists significantly more frequently than controls. DS individuals received significantly more dental care than did controls. Altogether, probands utilise the secondary health services more frequently than controls. The question of sufficient secondary health services for DS-adolescents is discussed, but no conclusion can be drawn from the results of the present study.