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Down's syndrome: appropriate monitoring
can improve the quality and length of life

It is possible to facilitate the social integration of people with Down's syndrome, and to increase their life expectancy by treating their cardiac and infectious problems.

Down's syndrome is the most common of the chromosomal abnormalities at birth. 30% to 50% of those affected have a cardiac malformation, which is the major cause of childhood death. Respiratory infections are the second cause of early death.

Down's syndrome sufferers often have multiple pathologies which can include visual anomalies, deafness, varying degrees of mental impairment, psychiatric disorders, serious respiratory disorders and low fertility. Other pathologies are more common than among the general population, such as dental anomalies, skin and orthopaedic disorders, leukaemia and digestive malformations.

These problems warrant appropriate monitoring at different stages of life, with testing for the different pathologies so as to improve the prognosis: at birth, testing for cardiac malformation, ocular anomalies, deafness, thyroid dysfunction; educational and psycho-social care during childhood and adolescence; treatment of mental problems and help with social integration for adults. Monitoring and treatment of neurosensory, thyroid, respiratory and cardiac disorders should be carried out at all ages.

©Prescrire June 2006

Source: "Trisomie 21 : un suivi adapté pour améliorer le pronostic" Rev Prescrire 2006 ; 26 (273) : 448-451.

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