A ATUAÇÃO DA ENFERMAGEM FRENTE AO INDIVÍDUO PORTADOR DA SÍNDROME DE DOWN

Abstract

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. This chromosomal alteration is the most common worldwide, the individuals present characteristics inherited from their parents regardless of the pathological condition, and the intellectual disability is the most frequent characteristic of the syndrome among children. Nursing has a relevant role in dealing with children with this pathology, as well as with the whole family, needing to be careful in all aspects, from the carriers to the family members' orientation in facing the syndrome. Thus, this work aimed to describe the role of nursing in Down's Syndrome, as well as address the importance of this profession in family aspects. This is an integrative review study with a qualitative, exploratory approach. Original articles indexed in the PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) databases were used, using the descriptors (DECS) "down syndrome", "nursing care", "nursing diagnosis", "genetic counseling". From the searches in the databases mentioned above, 196,734 articles were found, which were submitted to the inclusion and exclusion criteria established in this work. 14 articles were selected that answered the research question. The studies describe the importance of the nurse's role facing DS, orientation to the family, presentation of the importance of the nurses' scientific and practical knowledge about the pathology. Thus, nurses should be sensitized about their practices as professionals, because they are considered an identifier of the diagnosis.