Journal of Down Syndrome & Chromosome Abnormalities
Open Access

Abstract

Growth Chart of Indian Girls with Down Syndrome from Birth to Three Years-A Pilot Study

Priya C* and Ramachandran S

Objective: The objective of the study is to develop a specialized growth chart for girls with Down Syndrome (DS) which will help the children from birth to three years to monitor the growth pattern.

Methods: Data were collected from 60 children between ages from birth to three years with DS girls and 60 normal children. The growth charts cover the time period from birth until three years of age at various intervals (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months). Data was collected from four states (Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal) in India in view to cover entire geographical area. Each child contributed only one single set of data for each age group. The study was conducted over a period of three years from January 2014 to March 2017 at Indira Child Care, Chennai and Down Syndrome Society of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.

Results: The 25th, 50th and 90th percentile of both normal and Down syndrome children (girls) was compared to find the statistical difference. The statistical findings suggest that there is a significant difference in the height, weight and head circumference of the children between the normal and DS group among the various time periods. The significant difference noted in the height, weight and head circumference of the children between the normal and DS group among the time period is (p< 0.01).

Conclusion: There are growth charts available for normal children in India, both for boys and girls which help to monitor their growth. There is a need to monitor the growth for children with Down’s Syndrome using specific and specialised growth charts as growth retardation is common in these children. This pilot study will help to develop the specific growth chart for Indian Down’s Syndrome e children.