Journal of Psychiatry

Depression in children with down syndrome: Systematic review

Euro Global Summit and Medicare Expo on Psychiatry

July 20-22, 2015 Barcelona, Spain

Matheus Felipe Aguiar Santos

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Down syndrome (DS) is a multisystem disorder affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems and is characterized by significant cognitive disability. Children with DS have delayed psychomotor development. DS is known as the most prevalent cause of intellectual impairment associated with a chromosomal anomaly (Trisomy 21). Studies on behavior problems indicate on average one quarter to one third of the children with Down syndrome to have significant emotional and behavior problems. However, Depression in children with DS seems to be uncommon but the vulnerability increases as those individuals age into adulthood. Methods: Systematic review of the literature January 1, 2010 to March 30, 2015 to the descriptors ?Depression? (MeSH), ?Child? (MeSH), ?Down syndrome? (MeSH). Results: There is indication that children with DS had more emotional and behavior problems in comparison to the normal children with the exception of the anxiety/depression aspects. Only among adults with DS, several studies report more depression compared to the general population. Children with DS score significantly better on the problem anxiety/depressed in comparison to the normal children. Conclusion: Self-esteem and confidence are crucial ingredients in giving children with cognitive disabilities and the care provided by pediatricians, who are often the default clinicians for patients with DS even after they reach legal adulthood, needs to be more specialized and focused on mental health of patients with Down syndrome. It is needed further contributions to a better understanding of the increase of a possible vulnerability of depression in individuals with Down syndrome.