Evaluation of developmental status of 0-5 years old children with down syndrome by expanded guide for monitoring child development (E-GMCD)

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate developmental status of 0-5 years old children with Down Syndrome by Expanded Guide for Monitoring Child Development (E-GMCD) according to 4 fundamental areas of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Child and Youth Version (ICF-CY) body functions and structures, activities, participation and environmental factors. Materials and Methods: This is a cross sectional case study. The sample constituted of children with Down Syndrome aged 1-60 months who admitted Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Department of Inonu University Medical School hospital between 1 November 2012 – 31 March 2013. Results: A total of 100 children between 1-60 months were evaluated. The study sample consisted 59 (59%) boys and 41(41%) girls. Of the children 57% had congenital heart diseases. Developmental status of children about receptive language, expressive language, gross and fine motor, relationships (social and emotional), playing and self help skills were evaluated by E-GMCD. Twenty-one (21%) children had developmental problems in only one domain, whereas 67 (67%) children had more than one problems. Of the families 75% reported concerns about motor skills and 73% reported concerns about language development. Eighteen percent (18%) of children had a problem about attention and learning domain, 8% had sleep and 15% had feeding problems. Forty nine (49%) of the children were receiving special education, 51 (51%) children had not received special education yet. In this study, the mean age of children who had disability health report was 18±9 months. The mean age of beginning to special education was 19±10 months. Most of children who received special education and physiotherapy were between 2 and 4 years old. Results: Children with Down Syndrome must be followed regularly and closely for developmental delays. Families must be informed of the efficacy of early intervention and physical therapy by pediatricians.