Prevalence of otorhinolaryngology presentations in children with down syndrome

Background: The Down syndrome is the most common congenital anomaly which occurs 1 out of 700 births. Most of anomalies present in head and neck and the majorities are correctable by otorhinolaringologists. The most ear, nose and throat (ENT) anomalies are chronic infectious otitis and chronic otitis media with effusion that are related to hearing loss, airway obstruction, obstructive sleep apnea, rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. In this study we decided to examine various ENT presentations in down patients.

Methods: A descriptive study in which we have evaluated 50 Azari infants of Tabriz center with Down syndrome approved by genetic and physical examinations between 0 and 15 years old, to realize Otorhinolaryngologic presentations.

Results: In this patients we studied the prevalence of: serous otitis, adenoid hypertrophia,cleft lip and cleft palate , tie-tongue, high arch palate,macroglossia, ear canal stenosis , septum deviation,rhinorrhea, allergic rhinitis, sleep apnea and daily sleepiness, fissured lip and tongue, saddle nose deformity, midface hypoplasia, columellar hanging and piriformis aperture stenosis ‏.

Conclusion: Although the clinical manifestations of the Down syndrome are complex however the otorhinolaringological evaluation of these patients by otorhinolaringologists can be very useful in diagnosis, controlling and management of these patients.