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Relationship between growth and intelligence quotient in children with Down syndrome

Anna Kłosowska1, Agnieszka Kuchta2, Agnieszka Ćwiklińska2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.

Translational Pediatrics
|May 13, 2022
PubMed

Insights

In children with Down syndrome (DS), height percentile correlates with intelligence quotient (IQ). This finding may inform growth hormone therapy (GHT) decisions for short stature in genetic syndromes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • A known relationship exists between intelligence quotient (IQ) and somatic development, particularly growth, in various child populations.
  • Down syndrome (DS) is characterized by short stature, overweight, and cognitive impairment, necessitating further investigation into growth and IQ correlations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the correlation between anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI) and IQ in children with Down syndrome (DS).
  • To evaluate the potential value of these findings for optimizing growth hormone therapy (GHT) in children with short stature due to genetic syndromes.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 40 children with DS aged 9-18 years from a Genetic Clinic registry in Poland.
  • Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI) were collected and plotted on DS-specific charts.
  • IQ was assessed using the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale, Fifth Edition, with correlations analyzed via univariate and multiple regression.

Main Results:

  • Full-scale, verbal, and nonverbal IQ significantly correlated with height percentile (P=0.03, P=0.02, P=0.04, respectively).
  • No significant correlation was found between IQ and weight or BMI (P > 0.19 for all).
  • Height percentile remained an independent determinant of IQ in multiple regression analysis, even after adjusting for birth weight, hypothyroidism, and congenital heart defects (β=0.48, P=0.018).

Conclusions:

  • The study suggests a significant association between growth (height percentile) and IQ in children with Down syndrome.
  • These findings could be relevant for guiding growth hormone therapy (GHT) in genetic syndromes with short stature.
  • Further longitudinal research is recommended to confirm these associations in a larger cohort of children with DS.
Abstract

Keywords:
Down syndrome (DS)growthintellectual disabilityintelligence quotient (IQ)

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