title: Early detection of podiatric anomalies in children with Down syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the importance of podiatric evaluation in patients with Down syndrome for the early diagnosis and treatment of minor orthopaedic problems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case-control study of 50 children affected by Down syndrome (aged 4-10 y) without major orthopaedic malformations compared to 100 healthy children. A complete podiatric examination was performed on all patients and controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with Down syndrome showed several orthopaedic anomalies including bony deformity of the forefoot (90%), flat foot (60%), isolated calcaneal valgus (24%), knee valgus (22%) and pronated flat foot (16%). These abnormalities were responsible for postural alterations as confirmed by baropodometric examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data demonstrated a greater incidence of minor orthopaedic alterations and suggest the necessity of regular podiatric examinations in the follow-up of this syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy. dconcolino@unicz.it
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Concolino
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasquzzi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capalbo
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinopoli
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strisciuglio
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000473:pathology; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D009123:Muscle Hypotonia / Q000150:complications