Investigation of cardiopulmonary parameters, motor development and muscle strength in children with Down syndrome with and without congenital heart disease


Siyah T., SAĞLAM M., Yagli N., ERTUĞRUL İ., AYKAN H. H., KARAGÖZ T.

Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, vol.68, no.1, pp.64-73, 2024 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 68 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/jir.13092
  • Journal Name: Journal of Intellectual Disability Research
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, PASCAL, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index
  • Page Numbers: pp.64-73
  • Keywords: Congenital heart defects, Down syndrome, Hand grip, Motor skills
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Children with Down syndrome (DS) frequently have concomitant clinical problems. There are no studies in the literature evaluating gross motor development and handgrip strength in the presence of congenital heart disease (CHD), which is one of the most common comorbidities in population with DS. The aim of this study was to compare cardiopulmonary parameters, gross motor development and handgrip strength in children with DS with and without CHD. Methods: A total of 28 children with DS (14 with CHD and 14 without CHD) were evaluated. Demographic data and cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded. Gross motor development and handgrip strength were assessed. Results: Children with DS and CHD had lower GMFM-88 scores and right handgrip strength and higher Wang respiratory score than children with DS and no CHD (P < 0.05). GMFM-88 scores were moderately correlated with resting oxygen saturation (r = 0.46, P = 0.01) and right handgrip strength (r = 0.67, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Peripheral muscle strength and oxygen saturation may be factors affecting gross motor development in children with DS. From this point of view, evaluating cardiopulmonary parameters, motor development and handgrip strength in children with DS and CHD is important to identify risks, provide early intervention and support development.