Curve di crescita standard per la sindrome di Down. Studio retrospettivo in 337 soggetti.

Measurements of weight, length/ height and head circumference were obtained on 337 Down syndrome not institutionalized children (205 males and 132 females) followed by the medical genetic group from birth to the age of 15 years. The children with chromosomal mosaicism, those affected by cardiac or other malformations and those treated with hormones were excluded from the study. The karyotype showed a free trisomy 21 in 95 % of subjects and a translocation trisomy 21 in 5 % . The means and standard deviations have been derived for all parameters at various ages and standard growth curves have been constructed. Such curves were thus compared to normal controls o f the same sex. Data from this study show that the mean values of weight, length/height and head circumference of Down syndrome males and females are lower than values of normal controls, but within or at m 2 S.D. A tendency to a overweight was observed for children with the age between 2 and 14 years. These curves may be useful in following the Down syndrome children to identify those who present one or more parameters not within the Down syndrome range. The early recognition of abnormal growth is important to identify diseases not directly connected with the syndrome.