Abstract
Introduction: Children with Down syndrome present with multiple medical problems in a higher prevalence compared with the general population, which may lead to hospitalizations.Methods: Analysis of 560 hospitalizations of 162 children aged 0–16 years with Down syndrome at Hadassah Medical Center during the years 1988–2007 compared with data on children in the general population, hospitalized at the same period. Data was collected from patient files and statistical data from the Ministry of Health.Results: Respiratory infections were the leading cause for hospitalization of children with Down syndrome. The number of hospitalizations of children with Down syndrome compared to the number of all children, who were hospitalized was surprisingly similar to their proportion in the general population. Eleven children died during their hospitalization (five heart failure, three sepsis, one respiratory tract infection, and one due to complication after surgery). Nine of the 11 had a congenital heart anomaly.Conclusion: Children with Down syndrome can present with complex medical issues and we support the concept of a multidisciplinary team that has experience and knowledge to serve as a “one stop shop” for these individuals and their families, with timely visits in which a comprehensive evaluation is performed, problems attended to and prevention plans applied. In this way, we may prevent morbidity, hospitalizations, and mortality.
Highlights
Children with Down syndrome present with multiple medical problems in a higher prevalence compared with the general population, which may lead to hospitalizations
The number of hospitalizations of children with Down syndrome compared to the number of all children, who were hospitalized was surprisingly similar to their proportion in the general population
Children with Down syndrome can present with complex medical issues and we support the concept of a multidisciplinary team that has experience and knowledge to serve as a “one stop shop” for these individuals and their families, with timely visits in which a comprehensive evaluation is performed, problems attended to and prevention plans applied
Summary
Children with Down syndrome present with multiple medical problems in a higher prevalence compared with the general population, which may lead to hospitalizations. The annual number of newborns in Israel is today 162,000, of which 160 have DS. This syndrome may cause multiple congenital anomalies, e.g., heart malformations, intestinal atresia, cataract, hearing loss, and hypothyroidism, as well as evolving medical conditions, e.g., diabetes mellitus, convulsions, and dementia [1,2,3]. These medical issues need to be observed and treated adequately and continuously in order to prevent deterioration, loss of functions, hospitalizations, and fatalities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
