Resumen

HERNANDEZ-ALMAGUER, Dolores et al. Experience in the application of the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Guidelines for health supervision for children with Down syndrome" in the Department of Genetics at a University Hospital. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.4, pp.261-268. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. Objective: To evaluate the application of the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Guidelines for health supervision for children with Down syndrome" in the Department of Genetics at the Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González". Methods. We analyzed clinical files from all Down's syndrome patients who attended our Department of Genetics from April 2004 to April 2006. Results. Thirty-eight cases were identified. The rank of mothers' age at date of infant birth was 17-43 years old; 74% of the patients had a karyotype performed, but genetic counseling was given only to 61% of families. An echocardiogram was performed; congenital heart disease was detected in 26%, but 56% did not attend the cardiologist consultation even when some of them had clinical findings suggesting heart disease. At the end of the study, the highest number of consultations was 5; however, 44% of the patients had no follow-up. Conclusions. We found a significant lack of commitment to follow-up patients by care givers, and a delay to accomplish clinical studies to avoid the well-known complications associated to this syndrome.

Palabras llave : Down syndrome; medical follow-up; health guidelines; trisomy 21.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )