title: Significant impact of recurrent respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Parents and health professionals believe that recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) have a large impact on children with Down 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 3-year period, 325 children with DS were recruited for inclusion in this observational study. Parents were asked to fill in the Child Behavior Checklist and TNO-AZL Children's Quality of Life Parent Form. A psychological assistant administrated the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Jeroen Bosch Hospital, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
authors: R H J
authors: RH
authors: Verstegen
authors: H B M
authors: HB
authors: van Gameren-Oosterom
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Fekkes
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Dusseldorp
authors: E
authors: E
authors: de Vries
authors: J P
authors: JP
authors: van Wouwe
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires