ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal disorder. Children with DS have different height and weight patterns compared to children without DS. The aim of our study was to compare anthropometric parameters (expressed in standard deviation score-SDS) of people with DS using charts for DS and population (P) charts.

Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 114 patients with DS (64 girls), aged 4 months – 36 years (average age: 8.2 years) from Poland. Body weight, height, and BMI were expressed in the SDS values using growth charts for children with DS and for population. We assessed whether there were any differences in the studied parameters. For data analysis we assumed that: values <3pc [<−1.88], 10–90pc [≥−1.66,≤1.66], >97pc [>1.88]. In addition, an online survey was conducted. The study group consisted of 183 parents of children with DS. The questionnaire consisted of four questions and concerned the topic of centile grids.

Results: There are significant differences between average values of SDS for DS charts and P charts for the examined group. Differences in SDS ranges were: height 2.75±0.79 (P=0.00); weight 0.94±0.80 (P=0.00); and BMI 0.2±1.73 (P=0.20 - not statistically significant). According to the P height charts, the prevalence of growth deficiency (<3pc) was higher than that based on the DS charts (69% vs. 4%). The amount of records within the norm was lower for P charts (32% vs. 77%). According to weight charts, prevalence of records <3pc were higher for P than DS charts (33% vs. 5%); records within the norm were lower for P than DS charts (55% vs. 79%); and records >97pc were lower for P (5% vs. 7%). According to population BMI charts, the prevalence of obesity is higher for P than DS charts (12% vs. 1%); normal body weight is lower for P than DS charts (39% vs. 61%); and underweight is higher for P than DS charts (42% vs. 31%).

Conclusions: The differences between DS charts and P charts were identificated. Growth charts for children with DS are essential for guiding clinicians and families in monitoring the growth of people with DS. The DS charts can be used as tools to provide indications of how growth of a child compares with peers of the same age and sex without DS. Most parents are aware of existance of specific charts, unfortunately most clinicians do not use them.