CORRELATION BETWEEN DOWNS-SYNDROME AND MALFORMATIONS OF PEDIATRIC SURGICAL INTEREST

Purpose: This is a collaborative study carried out by Pediatric Surgeo ns of the ''G.D'Annunzio'' University and the Regional Association of Down Children of Abruzzo (Italy). Methods: Data were collected of malf ormations combined with Down Syndrome (DS) during a 10-year period in a population of defined age to look for a possible improvement of the patients' life conditions. Reportedly, 50% of these patients may reach an age of about 60 years. Results: One hundred twenty-seven DS subjec ts from this region were evaluated, 54% of whom had associated malform ations (13% cardiac, 41% extracardiac, and 13% both). Seventeen patien ts of 53 underwent surgery for extracardiac malformations, with gastro intestinal malformations prevailing. The largest number of DS babies w ere born from mothers under 30 years of age; this is attributed to the largest birth rate and the least prevention at this age. Mothers olde r than 38 years gave birth to DS babies with the lowest rate of associ ated malformations. Conclusion: The role of the pediatric surgeon in m ultidisciplinary assistance for DS patients is stressed. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Company.