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Significant impact of recurrent respiratory tract infections in children with D own syndrome
Author(s) -
Verstegen R. H. J.,
GamerenOosterom H. B. M.,
Fekkes M.,
Dusseldorp E.,
Vries E.,
Wouwe J. P.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
child: care, health and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.832
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1365-2214
pISSN - 0305-1862
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2012.01413.x
Subject(s) - confounding , observational study , medicine , pediatrics , psychology
Objective Parents and health professionals believe that recurrent respiratory tract infections ( RRTI ) have a large impact on children with D own syndrome ( DS ). We studied the relation between parent‐reported RRTI and development, behaviour and health‐related quality of life ( HRQoL ) in 8‐year‐old children with DS . Method During a 3‐year period, 325 children with DS were recruited for inclusion in this observational study. Parents were asked to fill in the C hild B ehavior C hecklist and TNO‐AZL C hildren's Q uality of L ife P arent F orm. A psychological assistant administrated the M c C arthy S cales of C hildren's A bilities. The children were divided into a group with presence of RRTI ( RRTI + ) and a group without RRTI ( RRTI − ), on the basis of parental report. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of RRTI , while correcting for the influence of confounders. Results Compared with RRTI − children ( n = 176), RRTI + children ( n = 149, 46%) showed decreased mental and motor development (mean developmental age 3.67 vs. 4.08 years), more behavioural problems and lower scores on most HRQoL scales ( P < 0.05). Moreover, school enrolment is less favourable in RRTI + children. Conclusion In 8‐year‐olds with DS , the children with parent‐reported RRTI show more delayed development, more behavioural problems and lower HRQoL compared with the children without RRTI . Although this association does not prove a causal relationship, further studies should focus on this, because RRTI are potentially preventable.