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Dardas LA, Al-Ammouri I, Sweis S, Eid A, Abid M, Pan W. Beyond the heart: Cognitive and verbal outcomes in Arab children with congenital heart diseases. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2374. [PMID: 38923365 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study investigates how congenital heart diseases (CHD) characteristics and interventions affect cognitive and verbal skills in Arab children, while also uncovering previously unexplored connections between these skills and the quality of life (QoL) scores as perceived by both children and parents. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan, involving 62 children with CHD aged 6-16. Data were collected through standardized intelligence tests (namely The Raven's Progressive Matrices Test and The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) and QoL assessments. RESULTS Sex, disease severity, cyanosis, CHD defect status, conducted operations, and types of interventions did not significantly influence cognitive scores. However, a significant difference was observed in Wechsler's scores between cyanotic and non-cyanotic children (p < .01) and between severe and moderate cases (p = .01). Further, a significant positive correlation was identified between Wechsler's Scores and QoL reported by parents (r = 0.33, p < .01). This correlation was particularly pronounced in the social and school functioning dimensions of QoL. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the need for personalized care approaches for children with CHDs based on their individual characteristics. While cognitive abilities did not directly correlate with children's QoL reports, a significant positive correlation between verbal skills and QoL reported by parents underscores the importance of effective communication in assessing a child's overall well-being. Future research should further examine the cognitive development in this population, employing neurocognitive investigations and longitudinal studies to gain a deeper understanding of their cognitive profiles and trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sami Sweis
- The University of Jordan, Aljubeiha, Amman, Jordan
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Baumer NT, Hojlo MA, Pawlowski KG, Milliken AL, Lombardo AM, Sargado S, Soccorso C, Davidson EJ, Barbaresi WJ. Co-occurring conditions in Down syndrome: Findings from a clinical database. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2023; 193:e32072. [PMID: 37873945 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience a range of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions, necessitating systematic study of their occurrence and impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes. We describe the prevalence and relationships of medical, neurodevelopmental (ND), and mental health (MH) conditions in children with DS. We created a prospective clinical database of individuals with DS, integrated into the workflow of a specialty Down Syndrome Program at a specialty pediatric referral hospital. Conditions were collected through caregiver- and clinician report at clinical visits (N = 599). We calculated frequencies of medical, ND, and MH conditions and then assessed the relationship between medical, ND, and MH conditions using frequencies and comparative statistics. The most frequent co-occurring conditions were vision (72.5%), ear/hearing (71.0%), gastrointestinal (61.3%), respiratory (45.6%), and feeding (33.6%) problems, with variation in frequency by age. ND and MH conditions were reported in one quarter, most commonly autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Those with ND and MH conditions had greater frequency of medical conditions, with highest rates of vision, ear/hearing, and gastrointestinal issues, and CHD. Systematically collected clinical data in a large cohort of children with DS reveals high prevalence of several co-occurring medical, ND, and MH conditions. Clinical care requires an understanding of the complex relationship between medical conditions and neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole T Baumer
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret A Hojlo
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine G Pawlowski
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Milliken
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela M Lombardo
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Sargado
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cara Soccorso
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily J Davidson
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William J Barbaresi
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Baldo F, Piovesan A, Rakvin M, Ramacieri G, Locatelli C, Lanfranchi S, Onnivello S, Pulina F, Caracausi M, Antonaros F, Lombardi M, Pelleri MC. Machine learning based analysis for intellectual disability in Down syndrome. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19444. [PMID: 37810082 PMCID: PMC10558609 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID), but a pathogenic mechanism has not been identified yet. Studying a complex and not monogenic condition such as DS, a clear correlation between cause and effect might be difficult to find through classical analysis methods, thus different approaches need to be used. The increased availability of big data has made the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and in particular machine learning (ML) in the medical field possible. The purpose of this work is the application of ML techniques to provide an analysis of clinical records obtained from subjects with DS and study their association with ID. We have applied two tree-based ML models (random forest and gradient boosting machine) to the research question: how to identify key features likely associated with ID in DS. We analyzed 109 features (or variables) in 106 DS subjects. The outcome of the analysis was the age equivalent (AE) score as indicator of intellectual functioning, impaired in ID. We applied several methods to configure the models: feature selection through Boruta framework to minimize random correlation; data augmentation to overcome the issue of a small dataset; age effect mitigation to take into account the chronological age of the subjects. The results show that ML algorithms can be applied with good accuracy to identify variables likely involved in cognitive impairment in DS. In particular, we show how random forest and gradient boosting machine produce results with low error (MSE <0.12) and an acceptable R2 (0.70 and 0.93). Interestingly, the ranking of the variables point to several features of interest related to hearing, gastrointestinal alterations, thyroid state, immune system and vitamin B12 that can be considered with particular attention for improving care pathways for people with DS. In conclusion, ML-based model may assist researchers in identifying key features likely correlated with ID in DS, and ultimately, may improve research efforts focused on the identification of possible therapeutic targets and new care pathways. We believe this study can be the basis for further testing/validating of our algorithms with multiple and larger datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Baldo
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Allison Piovesan
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Marijana Rakvin
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ramacieri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Chiara Locatelli
- Neonatology Unit, IRCCS University General Hospital Sant’Orsola Polyclinic, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Silvia Lanfranchi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy
| | - Sara Onnivello
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy
| | - Francesca Pulina
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, PD, Italy
| | - Maria Caracausi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Francesca Antonaros
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Michele Lombardi
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna, Viale Risorgimento 2, 40136, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Pelleri
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, BO, Italy
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Everaert E, Vorstman JAS, Selten IS, Slieker MG, Wijnen F, Boerma TD, Houben ML. Executive functioning in preschoolers with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and the impact of congenital heart defects. J Neurodev Disord 2023; 15:15. [PMID: 37173621 PMCID: PMC10181926 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-023-09484-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Executive functioning (EF) is an umbrella term for various cognitive functions that play a role in monitoring and planning to effectuate goal-directed behavior. The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS), the most common microdeletion syndrome, is associated with a multitude of both somatic and cognitive symptoms, including EF impairments in school-age and adolescence. However, results vary across different EF domains and studies with preschool children are scarce. As EF is critically associated with later psychopathology and adaptive functioning, our first aim was to study EF in preschool children with 22q11DS. Our second aim was to explore the effect of a congenital heart defects (CHD) on EF abilities, as CHD are common in 22q11DS and have been implicated in EF impairment in individuals with CHD without a syndromic origin. METHODS All children with 22q11DS (n = 44) and typically developing (TD) children (n = 81) were 3.0 to 6.5 years old and participated in a larger prospective study. We administered tasks measuring visual selective attention, visual working memory, and a task gauging broad EF abilities. The presence of CHD was determined by a pediatric cardiologist based on medical records. RESULTS Analyses showed that children with 22q11DS were outperformed by TD peers on the selective attention task and the working memory task. As many children were unable to complete the broad EF task, we did not run statistical analyses, but provide a qualitative description of the results. There were no differences in EF abilities between children with 22q11DS with and without CHDs. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study measuring EF in a relatively large sample of young children with 22q11DS. Our results show that EF impairments are already present in early childhood in children with 22q11DS. In line with previous studies with older children with 22q11DS, CHDs do not appear to have an effect on EF performance. These findings might have important implications for early intervention and support the improvement of prognostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Everaert
- Institute for Language Sciences, Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Jacob A S Vorstman
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Research Institute, and Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, M5G 1X8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Iris S Selten
- Institute for Language Sciences, Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn G Slieker
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Wijnen
- Institute for Language Sciences, Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tessel D Boerma
- Institute for Language Sciences, Utrecht University, Trans 10, 3512 JK, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel L Houben
- Department of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Ijezie OA, Healy J, Davies P, Balaguer-Ballester E, Heaslip V. Quality of life in adults with Down syndrome: A mixed methods systematic review. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280014. [PMID: 37126503 PMCID: PMC10150991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the life expectancy of adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with Down syndrome increases for a plethora of reasons including recognition of rights, access, and technological and medical advances, there is a need to collate evidence about their quality of life. OBJECTIVE Using Schalock and Verdugo's multidimensional quality of life assessment model, this systematic review aimed to identify, synthesise and integrate the quantitative and qualitative evidence on quality of life in adults with Down syndrome via self-and proxy-reporting. METHODS Five databases were systematically searched: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant articles published between 1980 and 2022 along with grey literature and reference lists from relevant studies. A mixed methods systematic review was performed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology using the convergent integrated approach. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS Thirty-nine studies were included: 20 quantitative, 17 qualitative, and 2 mixed methods studies. The synthesised findings were grouped into the 8 core domains of quality of life: personal development, self-determination, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, rights, emotional, physical and material well-being. Of the 39 studies, 30 (76.92%) reported on emotional well-being and 10 (25.64%) on rights. Only 7 (17.94%) studies reported that adults with Down syndrome have a good quality of life centred around self-determination and interpersonal relations. Most adults with Down syndrome wanted to become more independent, have relationships, participate in the community, and exercise their human rights. Self-reported quality of life from adults with Down syndrome was rated higher than proxy reported quality of life. Discrepancies in quality of life instruments were discovered. CONCLUSION This review highlighted the need for a better systematic approach to improving the quality of life in adults with Down syndrome in targeted areas. Future research is required to evaluate self-and proxy-reporting methods and culture-specific quality of life instruments that are more appropriate for adults with Down syndrome. In addition, further studies should consider including digital assistive technologies to obtain self-reported quality of life data in adults with Down syndrome. INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTIVE REGISTER OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42019140056.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogochukwu Ann Ijezie
- Department of Computing and Informatics, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Jane Healy
- Department of Social Science and Social Work, Bournemouth University, Lansdowne, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Davies
- Department of Computing and Informatics, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Emili Balaguer-Ballester
- Department of Computing and Informatics, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
- Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vanessa Heaslip
- School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Department of Social Studies, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway
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Ioan I, Weick D, Sevin F, Sanlaville D, De Fréminville B, Schweitzer C, Akkari M, Coutier L, Putois B, Plancoulaine S, Thieux M, Franco P. Neurocognitive evaluation of children with down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Sleep Med 2022; 100:542-549. [PMID: 36308912 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) treatment has been shown to improve cardiac behavioral and cognitive functions in typically developing children. Early OSAS diagnosis in children with Down syndrome (DS) would be important to prevent its complications, especially cognitive ones, but remains overlooked. The main objective of our study was to assess the cognitive function of children with DS, with and without OSAS. The second objective was to determine the impact of the therapeutic intervention on the cognitive function of children with OSAS. This study included 41 children with DS who underwent polysomnography for OSAS diagnosis and a cognitive evaluation. They were aged between 3.4 and 17.3 years and 24 (59%) were boys. Their median OAHI was 2.6 (0-31)/h of sleep, 30 (73%) were diagnosed with OSAS (15 had mild OSAS, and 15 had moderate/severe OSAS). Some scores of the Raven's colored progressive matrices were negatively correlated with the respiratory arousal index, OAHI tended to be positively correlated with Reiss behavioral problems. 24 (59%) patients received a treatment. Even if we were unable to demonstrate this formally due that only 16 children (39%) accepted a follow-up visit, some displayed improvement in their neuropsychological scores, especially those with moderate/severe OSAS after treatment. Children with DS have low intellectual abilities and more risk of developing OSAS compared to the general population, which may lead to further neurocognitive impairment. Early screening and management are important in this population to prevent any further neurocognitive delay in their development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Ioan
- Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Pédiatriques, Hôpital d'Enfants, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Université de Lorraine, DevAH, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Diane Weick
- Service d'épileptologie clinique, des troubles du sommeil et de neurologie fonctionnelle de l'enfant, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - François Sevin
- Service d'épileptologie clinique, des troubles du sommeil et de neurologie fonctionnelle de l'enfant, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Damien Sanlaville
- Département de génétique, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Bénédicte De Fréminville
- Service de Génétique, CHU de St Etienne, Centre de Référence Maladies Rares des Anomalies du Développement et des Syndromes Malformatifs de l'Inter région Centre Est (Rhône Alpes Auvergne), France
| | - Cyril Schweitzer
- Service d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Pédiatriques, Hôpital d'Enfants, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy, Université de Lorraine, DevAH, F-54000 Nancy, France
| | - Mohamed Akkari
- Hopital Gui de Chauliac, 58 Avenue Augustin Fliche, 34295, France
| | - Laurianne Coutier
- Service de pneumologie infantile, allergologie et centre de référence en mucoviscidose, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Benjamin Putois
- Service d'épileptologie clinique, des troubles du sommeil et de neurologie fonctionnelle de l'enfant, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; U1028, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CNRL), University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | - Marine Thieux
- Service d'épileptologie clinique, des troubles du sommeil et de neurologie fonctionnelle de l'enfant, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; U1028, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CNRL), University Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Patricia Franco
- Service d'épileptologie clinique, des troubles du sommeil et de neurologie fonctionnelle de l'enfant, Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; U1028, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CNRL), University Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
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Fleming V, Hom CL, Clare ICH, Hurd-Thomas SL, Krinsky-McHale S, Handen B, Hartley SL. Cognitive outcome measures for tracking Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2022; 62:227-263. [PMID: 37396708 PMCID: PMC10312212 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irrdd.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is now viewed as a genetic type of Alzheimer's disease (AD), given the near-universal presence of AD pathology in middle adulthood and the elevated risk for developing clinical AD in DS. As the field of DS prepares for AD clinical intervention trials, there is a strong need to identify cognitive measures that are specific and sensitive to the transition from being cognitively stable to the prodromal (e.g., Mild Cognitive Impairment-Down syndrome) and clinical AD (e.g., Dementia) stages of the disease in DS. It is also important to determine cognitive measures that map onto biomarkers of early AD pathology during the transition from the preclinical to the prodromal stage of the disease, as this transition period is likely to be targeted and tracked in AD clinical trials. The present chapter discusses the current state of research on cognitive measures that could be used to screen/select study participants and as potential outcome measures in future AD clinical trials with adults with DS. In this chapter, we also identify key challenges that need to be overcome and questions that need to be addressed by the DS field as it prepares for AD clinical trials in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Fleming
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Christy L Hom
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Orange, CA, United States
| | - Isabel C H Clare
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sharon Krinsky-McHale
- New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Benjamin Handen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sigan L Hartley
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Smith A, Bussmann N, Breatnach C, Levy P, Molloy E, Miletin J, Curley A, McCallion N, Franklin Mrcpch O, El-Khuffash A. Serial Assessment of Cardiac Function and Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Infants with Down Syndrome. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2022; 35:1176-1183.e5. [PMID: 35868547 DOI: 10.1016/j.echo.2022.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a dearth of longitudinal data describing the evolution of cardiopulmonary haemodynamics in infants with Down Syndrome (DS) beyond infancy. We hypothesized that babies with DS, independent of the presence of congenital heart disease (CHD), demonstrate biventricular systolic and diastolic impairment and sustained elevation of pulmonary pressures compared to controls over the first two years of age. METHODS This was a prospective observational cohort study of 70 infants with DS (48 with CHD and 22 without CHD) and 60 controls carried out in three tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Dublin, Ireland. Infants with DS with and without CHD and non-DS controls underwent serial echocardiograms at birth, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years of age to assess biventricular systolic and diastolic function using deformation analysis. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was assessed using pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) and left ventricular (LV) eccentricity index. RESULTS Infants with DS exhibited smaller LV (Birth: 27±4 vs. 31±2 mm, p<0.01; 2 years: 43±5 vs. 48±4 mm, p<0.01) and RV (Birth: 28±3 vs. 31±2 mm, p<0.01; 2 years: 40±4 vs. 44±3 mm, p<0.01) lengths and lower LV (Birth: -19±3 vs. -22±2 %, p<0.01; 2 years: -24±2 vs. -26±2 %, p<0.01) and RV (Birth: -19±4 vs. -22±3 %, p<0.01; 2 years: -29±6 vs. -33±4 %, p<0.01) systolic strain over the two year period. PAAT was lower in the DS group throughout the study period (Birth: 44±10 vs. 62±14 ms, p<0.01; 2 years 71±12 vs. 83±11 ms, p<0.01). No differences were observed between DS infants with and without CHD (all p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Infants with DS exhibit impaired maturational changes in myocardial function and PVR. Such novel findings provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology affecting cardiorespiratory morbidity in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling Smith
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Neidin Bussmann
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm Breatnach
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philip Levy
- Boston Children's Hospital Department of Pediatrics, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Paediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Eleanor Molloy
- Department of Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jan Miletin
- Department of Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Anna Curley
- Department of Neonatology, The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Naomi McCallion
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Paediatrics, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Franklin Mrcpch
- Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Afif El-Khuffash
- Department of Neonatology, The Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Paediatrics, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
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9
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Role of Adenotonsillectomy and Tonsillectomy in Children with Down Syndrome Who Develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Obesity as a Risk Factor. Int J Pediatr 2022; 2022:8074094. [PMID: 35574039 PMCID: PMC9106504 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8074094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) or trisomy 21 is caused due to the presence of additional chromosome 21 in humans. DS can exist either as free trisomy 21 (nondisjunction), Robertsonian translocated DS, or as mosaic DS. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a complex condition with serious health implications for pediatric individuals with DS. OSA is common in DS, and when it is present, it appears to be extreme. Obesity and snoring are some of the OSA risk factors for children associated with DS and OSA. Adenotonsillectomy is one of the surgical protocols applied in children, which is useful in lowering the OSA in which obesity is commonly connected within normal and DS children. Tonsillectomy is the alternative procedure of surgery connected with postoperative respiratory complications, and adenotonsillectomy was found to be a safe surgical method in children and improves the quality of life. The main aim of this review is to bridge the gap between the role of OSA in normal children (46, XX/XY) and DS children (47, XX/XY+21) characterized by the presence of chromosomes and exactly what is the involvement with adenotonsillectomy and tonsillectomy when obesity is a risk factor. The treatment for OSA and obesity is rehabilitative and reversible; however, DS can be managed but not resolved because the disorder occurs from the existence of an extra chromosome during the failure of homologous chromosomal pairing separation during maternal meiosis I. This review concludes that there is a treatment for OSA and obesity and that DS children can be prevented from being obese or experiencing OSA but cannot be turned to normal chromosomes due to an extra trisomy 21. According to this review, children with DS and OSA/OSAS, as well as concomitant complications, can be treated.
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Altuna M, Giménez S, Fortea J. Epilepsy in Down Syndrome: A Highly Prevalent Comorbidity. J Clin Med 2021; 10:2776. [PMID: 34202784 PMCID: PMC8268854 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10132776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk for epilepsy during the whole lifespan, but especially after age 40 years. The increase in the number of individuals with DS living into late middle age due to improved health care is resulting in an increase in epilepsy prevalence in this population. However, these epileptic seizures are probably underdiagnosed and inadequately treated. This late onset epilepsy is linked to the development of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the main comorbidity in adults with DS with a cumulative incidence of more than 90% of adults by the seventh decade. More than 50% of patients with DS and AD dementia will most likely develop epilepsy, which in this context has a specific clinical presentation in the form of generalized myoclonic epilepsy. This epilepsy, named late onset myoclonic epilepsy (LOMEDS) affects the quality of life, might be associated with worse cognitive and functional outcomes in patients with AD dementia and has an impact on mortality. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of epileptic seizures in the DS population, with a special emphasis on LOMEDS. Raised awareness and a better understanding of epilepsy in DS from families, caregivers and clinicians could enable earlier diagnoses and better treatments for individuals with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miren Altuna
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08041 Barcelona, Spain;
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Giménez
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08041 Barcelona, Spain;
- Multidisciplinary Sleep Unit, Respiratory Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Fortea
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08041 Barcelona, Spain;
- Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Barcelona Down Medical Center, Fundació Catalana de Síndrome de Down, 08029 Barcelona, Spain
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Complexity Analysis of the Default Mode Network Using Resting-State fMRI in Down Syndrome: Relationships Highlighted by a Neuropsychological Assessment. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030311. [PMID: 33801471 PMCID: PMC8001398 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Studies on complexity indicators in the field of functional connectivity derived from resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) in Down syndrome (DS) samples and their possible relationship with cognitive functioning variables are rare. We analyze how some complexity indicators estimated in the subareas that constitute the default mode network (DMN) might be predictors of the neuropsychological outcomes evaluating Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and cognitive performance in persons with DS. Methods: Twenty-two DS people were assessed with the Kaufman Brief Test of Intelligence (KBIT) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) tests, and fMRI signals were recorded in a resting state over a six-minute period. In addition, 22 controls, matched by age and sex, were evaluated with the same rs-fMRI procedure. Results: There was a significant difference in complexity indicators between groups: the control group showed less complexity than the DS group. Moreover, the DS group showed more variance in the complexity indicator distributions than the control group. In the DS group, significant and negative relationships were found between some of the complexity indicators in some of the DMN networks and the cognitive performance scores. Conclusions: The DS group is characterized by more complex DMN networks and exhibits an inverse relationship between complexity and cognitive performance based on the negative parameter estimates.
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Peacock G, Ryerson AB, Koppaka R, Tschida J. The importance of seasonal influenza vaccination for people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disabil Health J 2020; 14:101058. [PMID: 33384278 PMCID: PMC7997783 DOI: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2020.101058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A large proportion of Americans have at least one disability and yet people with disabilities face inequities in health and health care access. Factors associated with underlying disability and health, how they perceive and interact with the world, and where they live, or work may increase the risk people with disabilities face for illness or severe outcomes from seasonal influenza. Given the need to reduce the burden of respiratory illness on a healthcare system already overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, maximizing seasonal influenza vaccination coverage is particularly important in 2020–2021. It is critical this season to ensure equitable access to influenza vaccination for people with disabilities. Providing influenza vaccination services in the unique places where people with disabilities are living, working, or receiving care during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial, as well as communicating effectively to people with different types of disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Peacock
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30033, USA.
| | - A Blythe Ryerson
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30033, USA
| | - Ram Koppaka
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, 30033, USA
| | - John Tschida
- Association of University Centers on Disabilities, USA
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