Down Syndrome: From Pregnancy through Childhood in Türkiye
Elif Yilmaz Gulec1,2, Sena Cetin2, Mustafa Gunes2
1Department of Medical Genetics, Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Insights
This study reviews 324 children with Down syndrome (DS), detailing common and rare conditions from infancy through childhood. Early diagnosis and management of congenital malformations and developmental delays are crucial for DS care.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is a leading genetic cause of congenital malformations and intellectual disability.
- Clinical presentations and management of DS vary globally.
- Understanding regional characteristics is vital for effective patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a medical geneticist's perspective on Down syndrome care.
- To summarize prenatal and postnatal characteristics of patients followed at a specific clinic.
- To contribute to the understanding of Down syndrome in Türkiye.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of medical records for 324 children with Down syndrome.
- Data collected over a 10-year period (2010-2021).
- Evaluation included karyotype, congenital malformations, organic disorders, developmental milestones, and growth parameters.
Main Results:
- The cohort consisted of 324 children, with 95% having trisomy 21.
- Common conditions included congenital heart defects (57.5%), hypothyroidism (39%), and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (19.7%).
- Rare conditions such as epilepsy and nephrolithiasis were also documented.
Conclusions:
- This cohort provides insights into the clinical features of Down syndrome in Türkiye.
- Comprehensive knowledge of DS management is essential for medical teams.
- Childhood care, focusing on early diagnosis and treatment of malformations and developmental delays, is critical.
Introduction:
Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of multiple congenital malformations and intellectual disability. The prevalence of the disorder and accompanying malformations, prenatal and postnatal features, and clinical approach to the syndrome vary across different regions worldwide. This study aims to share our clinic's experience with Down syndrome from pregnancy through childhood from a medical geneticist's perspective and to summarize the prenatal and postnatal characteristics of our patients.
Methods:
A 10-year review of medical records was conducted for patients with Down syndrome who were followed between 2010 and 2021. Patient data including sex, karyotype, follow-up period, age at first and last visit, congenital malformations, organic disorders, prenatal screening data, neonatal history, neuromotor developmental milestones, and growth parameters were evaluated.
Results:
Overall, 324 children with Down syndrome were evaluated. Overall, 95% (308) had regular trisomy 21. The mean age at admission was 6.09 ± 1.99 months, and patients were followed for an average of 32.7 ± 3.97 months. Overall, 51% of neonates and 53.5% overall were hospitalized. While common disorders such as congenital heart defects (57.5%), neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (19.7%), and hypothyroidism (39%) were observed, rare conditions such as polydactyly, Ebstein anomaly, epilepsy, epileptic encephalopathy, nephrolithiasis, and cholelithiasis were also reported.
Conclusion:
The clinical features of Down syndrome observed in Türkiye have been summarized through our cohort. Medical teams need comprehensive knowledge about Down syndrome management. Childhood is recognized as a critical period in Down syndrome care, particularly regarding early diagnosis and treatment of congenital malformations and management of developmental delays.
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