Down Syndrome in Brazil: Occurrence and Associated Factors

Epidemiology of birth defects in a national hospital-based birth defect surveillance spot in Southern Jiangsu, China, 2014-2018

Objective

As the only hospital-based national surveillance spot of birth defects (BDs) in Changzhou city located in the economically developed eastern part of China, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital has encountered serious challenges in BD prevention. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of total BDs born in the hospital from 2014 to 2018.

Methods

The data were collected from the national hospital-based birth defect surveillance system. BD prevalence was calculated by Poisson distribution. Trends of prevalence and the associations regarding information with BDs were analyzed by Poisson regression.

Results

The reported prevalence of total BDs was 313.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 299.59-328.76) per 10,000 perinatal infants (PIs), while the perinatal prevalence of BD was 160.19 (95% CI: 150.00-170.89) per 10,000 PIs. A remarkable uptrend in the prevalence of BDs was noticed with a prevalence rate ratio (PRR) of 1.09 (95% CI: 1.04-1.14) and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.09-1.16), respectively. Congenital heart disease (CHD), cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P), congenital malformation of the kidney (CMK), polydactyly, Down syndrome (DS), cystic hygroma, neural tube defect (NTD), and congenital talipes equinovarus (CTE) were common types of total BDs. Mothers living in the urban area (PRR = 1.67, 95% CI:1.50-1.87), male fetuses (PRR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.05-1.28), and maternal age younger than 20 (PRR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.60-3.25) and 25 years (PRR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.22-1.63) or older than 35 years (PRR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.00-1.40) were risk factors for BD occurrence.

Conclusion

The reported prevalence of total BDs was nearly two times higher than the perinatal prevalence of BDs in PIs, and the ranks of total BDs and BDs in PIs were different. Mothers living in the urban area, male fetuses, and maternal ages younger than 25 or older than 35 years were risk factors for BD incidence. Thus, improving prenatal examination technology, expanding the surveillance time quantum of BDs, and keeping maternal health may be warranted.

Effects of whole-body vibration exercise on sleep disorders, body composition and clinical parameters in down syndrome children: A study protocol for a randomized cross-over trial

Down-syndrome (DS) the most common genetic disorder worldwide. Whole-body-vibration-exercise (WBVE) has been recommended for individuals with DS. To verify the efficacy of WBVE on sleep disorders, body-composition (BC) and clinical parameters of children with DS. It is a randomized cross-over-trial. Children with DS, 5-12 years, both-genders will be selected. The sleep disorders will be evaluated by the "Infant sleep questionnaire Reimão and Lefevre" and by the "Sleep disturbance scale in children". The BC will be measure by bioimpedance and the skin temperature using infrared-thermography. WBVE will be performed seating in an ancillary-chair or sitting on the base of the vibrating platform, with 2.5 mm, 5Hz. Each session (5 series, 30-seconds on vibration, 1-minute of rest). It is expected improvement responses on sleep, BC and some clinical parameters. It is expected that this WBVE protocol will bring important clinical contributions for children with DS.

Population-specific facial traits and diagnosis accuracy of genetic and rare diseases in an admixed Colombian population

Up to 40% of rare disorders (RD) present facial dysmorphologies, and visual assessment is commonly used for clinical diagnosis. Quantitative approaches are more objective, but mostly rely on European descent populations, disregarding diverse population ancestry. Here, we assessed the facial phenotypes of Down (DS), Morquio (MS), Noonan (NS) and Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) syndromes in a Latino-American population, recording the coordinates of 18 landmarks in 2D images from 79 controls and 51 patients. We quantified facial differences using Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis, and assessed the diagnostic accuracy of Face2Gene, an automatic deep-learning algorithm. Individuals diagnosed with DS and MS presented severe phenotypes, with 58.2% and 65.4% of significantly different facial traits. The phenotype was milder in NS (47.7%) and non-significant in NF1 (11.4%). Each syndrome presented a characteristic dysmorphology pattern, supporting the diagnostic potential of facial biomarkers. However, population-specific traits were detected in the Colombian population. Diagnostic accuracy was 100% in DS, moderate in NS (66.7%) but lower in comparison to a European population (100%), and below 10% in MS and NF1. Moreover, admixed individuals showed lower facial gestalt similarities. Our results underscore that incorporating populations with Amerindian, African and European ancestry is crucial to improve diagnostic methods of rare disorders.

Tooth wear prevalence in individuals with Down syndrome: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review investigated the prevalence of tooth wear between patients with and without Down syndrome.

METHODS

Six databases (Embase, LILACS, Livivo, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) and grey literature (Google Scholar, OpenGrey and ProQuest) were searched until March 7, 2022. Observational studies were included to assess the differences in tooth wear prevalence and/or severity in Down syndrome and non-syndromic controls. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations were followed. Three reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, assessed the methodological quality (Joanna Briggs Institute) and graded the certainty of evidence through the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results were summarized through meta-analyses using a random-effects model. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42021266997).

RESULTS

Of the 1382 records identified, six cross-sectional studies were included. Individuals with Down syndrome had a higher prevalence and were more likely to have tooth wear than individuals without Down syndrome (44% × 15%; OR = 4.43; 95% CI 3.17-6.18; p < 0.00001; I² = 8%). Also, the severity of tooth wear was higher in the Down syndrome group (n = 275) compared with the controls (n = 294). The certainty of evidence analysis was very low.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on very low certainty of the evidence, patients with Down syndrome had a higher prevalence and likelihood and severity of tooth wear when compared to those without Down syndrome.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Screening early tooth wear lesions should be carefully done in the Down syndrome population since its occurrence is remarkable compared to the general population.

Risk for Severe Illness and Death among Pediatric Patients with Down Syndrome Hospitalized for COVID-19, Brazil

Down syndrome is the most common human chromosomal disorder. Whether Down syndrome is a risk factor for severe COVID-19 outcomes in pediatric patients remains unclear, especially in low-to-middle income countries. We gathered data on patients <18 years of age with SARS-CoV-2 infection from a national registry in Brazil to assess the risk for severe outcomes among patients with Down syndrome. We included data from 14,684 hospitalized patients, 261 of whom had Down syndrome. After adjustments for sociodemographic and medical factors, patients with Down syndrome had 1.8 times higher odds of dying from COVID-19 (odds ratio 1.82, 95% CI 1.22-2.68) and 27% longer recovery times (hazard ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.61-0.86) than patients without Down syndrome. We found Down syndrome was associated with increased risk for severe illness and death among COVID-19 patients. Guidelines for managing COVID-19 among pediatric patients with Down syndrome could improve outcomes for this population.

Health Policies for Rare Disease Patients: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE

To identify and map the available evidence on the implementation of public health policies directed at individuals with rare diseases, and to compare the implementation of these health policies between Brazil and other countries.

METHOD

A scoping review guided by the PRISMA-ScR and JBI checklists. The search for articles was conducted in eight electronic databases, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and LILACS, using controlled descriptors, synonyms, and keywords combined with Boolean operators. All steps of this review were independently conducted by two researchers. The selected studies were classified by evidence hierarchy, and a generic quantitative tool was used for the assessment of the studies.

RESULTS

A total of 473 studies were identified, of which 13 which met all the inclusion criteria were selected and analyzed. Of these studies, 61.5% (n = 8) had final scores equal to or greater than 70%, i.e., they were classified by this tool as being well-reported. The comparative analysis of international rare diseases demonstrates that public authorities' priorities and recommendations regarding this topic also permeate and apply to the Brazilian context.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation and monitoring of public policies directed at rare disease patients are urgent and necessary to improve and implement such policies with less bureaucracy and more determination for this unique population that requires timely and high-quality care.

Recurring violence against adolescents: an analysis of notifications

OBJECTIVE

to identify the frequency of reported cases of recurring violence against adolescents and their association with victim, violence, and aggressor characteristics.

METHOD

cross-sectional study conducted with notified data on violence against adolescents, produced by Epidemiological Surveillance and registered in the Information System of Diseases and Notification (SINAN), from 2011 to 2018, in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

RESULTS

the frequency of recurring violence against adolescents was 46.4%. Higher occurrence was observed among girls (PR: 1.26; 95%CI: 1.15 - 1.38) between 10 and 14 years of age (PR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.13 - 1.28), and people with a disability or disorder (PR: 1.52; 95%CI: 1.42 - 1.62). Psychological violence/neglect was 30% more prevalent in recurrence than self-harm. Most cases occurred at home (PR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.37 - 1.77). Results showed a 1.11 times higher prevalence of recurring violence perpetrated by aggressors aged 20 years or older and higher evidence in male aggressors (95%CI: 0.97 - 1.17).

CONCLUSION

recurring violence was associated with victim, aggressor, and event characteristics. Health intersectoriality is crucial to reduce cases of recurring violence.

(1) Frequency of recurring violence against adolescents was 46.4%. (2) Higher recurrence was observed among girls between 10 and 14 years of age. (3) Most cases occurred at home. (4) Recurring violence was associated with victim, aggressor, and event characteristics. (5) Results show 1.11 times > prevalence of recurring violence perpetrated by men ≥ 20 years old.

Completeness and Consistency of Epidemiological Variables from Hospital-Based Cancer Registries in a Brazilian State

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the completeness and consistency of data from hospital-based cancer registries (HCRs) in a Brazilian state.

METHODS

This retrospective descriptive study was based on secondary data from an HCR in the state of Espírito Santo (ES) between 2010 and 2017. The data were collected between August and November 2020 by the ES State Health Department (SESA/ES). Cancer data were obtained from the HCR of ES using the tumor registration form of the Brazilian Hospital Cancer Registry Integrator and complete databases within the SESA/ES. The incompleteness of the data was classified as excellent (<5%), good (between 5% and 10%), regular (between 10% and 20%), poor (between 20% and 50%), and very poor (>50%), according to the percentage of the absence of information. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS^® Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) version 20.0.

RESULTS

Complete data were observed for the variables of sex, date of the first hospital visit, and histological type of the primary tumor; that is, there were no missing data. Most epidemiological variables, including age, origin, date of first tumor diagnosis, previous diagnosis and treatment, location of the primary tumor, first treatment received at the hospital, date of death of the patient, and probable location of the primary tumor, were classified as having excellent completeness throughout the study period. However, the variables schooling, smoking, alcohol consumption, occupation, family history of cancer, and clinical staging of the tumor were classified as poor.

CONCLUSION

Most epidemiological variables from the HCR in the state of ES, Brazil, showed excellent completeness. It is essential to elucidate the sociodemographic and clinical variables of epidemiological importance for a better understanding of the health-disease process.

Use of family history taking for hereditary neoplastic syndromes screening in primary health care: A systematic review protocol

Background

Although most neoplasms result from complex interactions between the individual’s genome and the environment, a percentage of cases is particularly due to inherited alterations that confer a greater predisposition to the development of tumors. Hereditary Neoplastic Syndromes have a high psychosocial and economic burden, in addition to being characterized by an increased risk for one or more types of cancer, onset of malignancy at a young age, high risk of secondary malignancies, and occurrence in successive generations of the family. Personal and family history, as well as pedigree, may be useful resources to estimate the risk for developing cancer, especially in Primary Health Care settings.

Objective

To identify and evaluate the evidence regarding the impact of using family history as a genomic technology for Hereditary Neoplastic Syndromes screening at Primary Health Care.

Methods

This systematic review protocol was elaborated in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). We will include all observational as well as experimental study designs published up to end of July 2022, and studies covering the impact of family history on screening for Hereditary Neoplastic Syndromes in primary health care. Qualitative studies, as well as guidelines, reviews, and studies undertaken in hospitals, outpatient clinic, or medical environments will be excluded. Five databases will be searched, including MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and LILACS. Additional sources will also be retrieved, including Clinical trials.gov-NIH, The British Library, and Google Scholar. No restriction to language or date will be employed in the search strategy. Three investigators will select studies independently, perform data extraction, and conduct the critical appraisal of the risk of bias and overall quality of the selected studies according to their designs. Regarding data synthesis, the study characteristics will be summarized and presented in tables and results will be presented according to the study design. A qualitative synthesis of data will also be provided in this systematic review.

Discussion

To the best of our knowledge, this systematic review will be the first to identify and critically assess evidence regarding the impact of using family history as a genomic technology for Hereditary Neoplastic Syndromes screening in Primary Health Care settings worldwide. This study is expected to provide consistent evidence that will aid the primary care decision-makers regarding hereditary cancer screening, thus helping individuals and families at risk for cancer.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020166211.

Violencia recurrente contra adolescentes: un análisis de las notificaciones

Resumen Objetivo: identificar la frecuencia de casos notificados de violencia recurrente contra adolescentes y su asociación con las características de la víctima, de la violencia y de los agresores. Método: estudio transversal, realizado con los datos notificados de violencias contra adolescentes, producidos por la Vigilancia Epidemiológica y registrados en el Sistema de Información de Agravamientos de Notificación (SINAN), de 2011 a 2018, en el estado de Espírito Santo, Brasil. Resultados: la frecuencia de violencia recurrente contra adolescentes fue de 46,4%. Se observó una mayor recurrencia de este agravio en el grupo de niñas (RP: 1,26; IC 95%: 1,15-1.38), en el rango de 10 a 14 años de edad (RP: 1,20; IC 95%: 1,13-1,28), y, personas con discapacidad/trastorno (RP:1,52; IC del 95%: 1,42-1,62). La violencia psicológica/negligencia fue un 30 % más frecuente en la recurrencia que la violencia autoinfligida. La residencia fue el lugar de mayor ocurrencia (RP: 1,56; IC del 95%: 1,37-1,77). Hubo una prevalencia 1,11 veces mayor de violencia recurrente cometida por agresores de 20 años o más y mayor evidencia en agresores masculinos (IC95%: 0,97-1,17). Conclusión: la violencia recurrente se asoció con las características de las víctimas, el agresor y el evento. La intersectorialidad en salud para reducir los casos de reincidencia de la violencia es crucial.

Violência recorrente contra adolescentes: uma análise das notificações

Resumo Objetivo: identificar a frequência de casos notificados de violência recorrente contra adolescentes e sua associação com as características da vítima, da violência e dos agressores. Método: estudo transversal, realizado com os dados notificados de violências contra adolescentes, produzidos pela Vigilância Epidemiológica e registrados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos e Notificação (SINAN), no período de 2011 a 2018, no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Resultados: a frequência de violência recorrente contra adolescentes foi de 46,4%. Observou-se maior recorrência desse agravo no grupo de meninas (RP: 1,26; IC95%: 1,15-1,38), na faixa de 10 a 14 anos de idade (RP: 1,20; IC95%: 1,13-1,28), e, pessoas com alguma deficiência/transtorno (RP:1,52; IC95%: 1,42-1,62). A violência psicológica/negligência foi 30% mais prevalente de recorrência do que a violência autoprovocada. A residência foi o local de maior ocorrência (RP: 1,56; IC95%: 1,37-1,77). Verificou-se prevalência 1,11 vezes maior de violência recorrente praticada por agressores com 20 anos de idade ou mais e uma evidência maior em agressores do sexo masculino (IC95%: 0,97-1,17). Conclusão: a violência recorrente esteve associada às características das vítimas, do agressor e do evento. A intersetorialidade em saúde para a redução dos casos de reincidência da violência é crucial.