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Late start of early intervention in children with Down syndrome

Danys Fredes1, Patricio Astudillo1, Macarena Lizama1

  • 1Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Andes Pediatrica : Revista Chilena De Pediatria
|September 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

More than half of children with Down syndrome start early intervention late, impacting development. Factors like early hospitalization and socioeconomic status significantly delay crucial early support services.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early intervention (EI) is critical for children with Down syndrome (CHwDS).
  • Initiating EI before 60 days of life (DOL) is linked to improved developmental outcomes.
  • Delayed EI initiation can hinder long-term development in CHwDS.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors contributing to delayed EI initiation in children with Down syndrome.
  • To compare social, family, and health factors influencing EI start times.
  • To analyze the association between EI start (before vs. after 60 DOL) and various influencing factors.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving parents of CHwDS enrolled in EI programs within their first year of life.
  • Evaluation of social, family, and health factors impacting EI initiation timelines.
  • Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and Student's T-test for numerical variables.

Main Results:

  • Over half (51.2%) of CHwDS initiated EI after 60 DOL, with 25% starting after 6 months.
  • Late EI initiation was associated with early/prolonged hospitalization, lower parental education, public healthcare birth, and access to free EI centers.
  • High socioeconomic status emerged as a protective factor against delayed EI initiation (OR = 0.4).

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of children with Down syndrome experience delayed initiation of early intervention programs.
  • Early hospitalization, extended hospital stays, and socioeconomic disadvantages are key factors associated with late EI.
  • There is an urgent need for resource allocation and public policies to ensure equitable access to timely EI programs for CHwDS.
Abstract

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