GROWTH — Birth weight, length, and head circumference are less in DS compared with typical infants. Newborns with DS weigh approximately 0.18 to 0.37 kg less than their siblings [34]. Mean length at birth is approximately 0.5 standard deviations less than control newborns [35]. In a study of 105 children with Down syndrome, length, weight, and head circumference were below those of normal healthy children at birth; remained lower until puberty, with the growth spurt being earlier (age 11 in boys and 9.5 in girls); and were blunted compared with controls [36].
Short stature — Growth rate is reduced in DS compared to typical children, especially in infancy and adolescence. Growth is most reduced in children with severe congenital heart disease [35,37]. In adults with DS, the average height in males and females is 61.7 and 57 inches (157 and 144 cm), respectively, and the average weight is 157 and 140 lb (71 and 64 kg) in males and females [38]. Growth charts for children with DS have been published in populations in the United States [37,39], Italy [40], the Netherlands [41], and Sweden [42].
The cause of DS-associated growth retardation remains unknown; low circulating levels of IGF-1 and diminished provoked and spontaneous secretion of GH have been reported in some patients [43,44]. Serum GH levels are not low in children with DS [45,46], but suboptimal endogenous GH production as a result of hypothalamic dysfunction has been demonstrated [47]. Selective deficiency of IGF-1, but not IGF-II, has been seen in Down syndrome patients who are older than two years [48,49]. IGF-1 receptors are present in brain cells from fetuses with trisomy 21 [49].
Children with Down syndrome may have a shortage of growth hormone (hGH) which is produced in the pituitary gland. hGH replacement is fairly controversial, but a child with reduced levels of hGH may be a candidate for hGH replacement therapy. It is quite common for children with genetic disorders such as Down syndrome to be short in stature and special growth charts have been developed for children with Down syndrome. However, some doctors have come to believe that children with Down syndrome should be charted on the normal growth charts. If a child fails to grow on these charts, it may be a sign that there is an endocrine problem such as hypothyroidism or hypopituitarism. Or some form of sleeping disorder that prevents proper hGH release. A sleep study may be advisable.
Ginkgo is found to help those with DS sleep much more soundly with better REM sleep.
More info to come...
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