Investigation of Cardiopulmonary Parameters, Motor Development and Muscle Strength in DS With and Without CHD

Investigation of Cardiopulmonary Parameters, Motor Development and Muscle Strength in Children With Down Syndrome With and Without Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart diseases (CHD) are detected in 40-60% of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and increase the risk of developmental delay in the presence of syndromes. The aim of the study was to compare cardiopulmonary parameters, gross motor development and hand grip strength in DS children with and without CHD. Demographic variables, cardiopulmonary parameters and echocardiographic values were recorded. Gross motor development was evaluated with Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88). Hand grip strength was measured with the Baseline Pneumatic Bulb Dynamometer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with Down syndrome as a result of genetic analysis,
• For the congenital heart disease group; undergoing cardiac surgery at least 6 months before the evaluation, diagnosed as CHD by a pediatric cardiologist based on echocardiographic findings,
• For the group without congenital heart disease, patients who have not undergone cardiac surgery, are asymptomatic with a septal defect smaller than 4-5 mm, are expected to close, and are hemodynamically normal by a pediatric cardiologist,
• Children whose families were informed about the study and gave written consent to participate in the study were included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having another genetic abnormality other than Down syndrome,
• undergoing surgery other than cardiac surgery,
• Having an orthopedic or neurological problem,
• Respiratory support,
• With atlantoaxial instability,
• Children with hematological disease were not included in the study.