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DOWN'S SYNDROME : RESPIRATORY DISORDERS. Key Points.
This page is also available as a PDF.
(mainly based on conference paper by Dr Iolo Doull at RSM conference.
April 2001)
- Primary cause of morbidity and/or hospital admission particularly
in young children
- Little published research. Significance of problems often underrecognised.
Specialist investigation and treatment often necessary but often not
sought.
- Increased prevalence sleep related upper
airway obstruction and lower airway disease
- Underlying pathology often multifactorial
- Lower airway problems - Contributory factors include:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux
- Hypotonia
- Relative obesity
- Immune dysfunction
- Cardiac disease
- Large airway compression
- Small lower airway volume
- Tracheobronchomalacia
- Pulmonary hypoplasia
- Subpleural cysts
- Upper airway problems - contributory factors include
- Hypotonia
- Obesity
- mid-face hypoplasia
- relative glossoptosis
- small upper airway volume
- increased secretions
- nasal congestion
- tonsils and adenoids
- Important to recognise possibility of gastro-oesophageal reflux. Investigate
as necessary and treat aggressively
- Attempt to eradicate nasal congestion
- Mechanical decongestion - Nuk decongester
- Intermittent continuous low dose antibiotics
- Trial cow's milk free diet
- Treat chronic lower airway disease aggressively
- Continuous prophylactic antibiotics
- Regular inhaled corticosteroids
This page is also available as a PDF.
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