Clinical abnormalities, intervention program, and school attendance of Down syndrome children in southern Thailand.
BACKGROUND
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality with an incidence of 1:700 livebirths. In southern Thailand, most Down syndrome patients are referred to Songklanagarind Hospital for surgical, medical treatment and/or stimulation intervention.


OBJECTIVE
To study the clinical features and school attendance of Down syndrome children.


METHODS
A total of 295 Down syndrome children attended Songklanagarind Hospital. The clinical features of Down syndrome, percentage of children receiving the stimulation intervention program, and attending school were studied.


RESULTS
Congenital heart disease was found in 38.6%, gastrointestinal anomalies 16.9%, hematologic malignancy 6.1%, and thyroid disorders 11.4%. The mortality rate of Down syndrome children was 13.2%. Most children (65.6%) received the early stimulation, but only 38.9% attended the speech intervention program within the first 2 years of life. Of the total 109 Down syndrome children aged over 5 years that are still being followed, only 74 (67.9%) attended school. The school attendance was correlated with the family income, but not correlated with the level of maternal or paternal education.


CONCLUSIONS
Congenital heart disease and gastrointestinal anomalies are commonly found in Down syndrome children. Most children received an early intervention program, but only 38.9% received speech intervention. In children aged >5 years, only 68% attended school, and school attendance was correlated with the family income.
Jaruratanasirikul
Somchit
S
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand. jsomchit@ratree.psu.ac.th
Soponthammarak
Somkiat
S
Chanvitan
Prasin
P
Limprasert
Pornprot
P
Sriplung
Hutcha
H
Leelasamran
Wipawan
W
Winothai
Seesuda
S
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013070:Speech Therapy; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology