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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
BALANCE PROBLEMS IN DOWN SYNDROME CHILDREN:
VARIOUS SENSORY ELEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTION
TO MIDDLE EAR PROBLEMS
1
Otolaryngology, Audiology Unit, Kasr EL Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Publication date: 2015-03-31
Corresponding author
Amira El Shennawy
Amira El Shennawy, Otolaryngology, Audiology Unit, Kasr EL Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, e-mail: amira.doc75@outlook.com
Amira El Shennawy, Otolaryngology, Audiology Unit, Kasr EL Ainy Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, e-mail: amira.doc75@outlook.com
J Hear Sci 2015;5(1):17-21
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Background:
Down syndrome (DS) is one of the commonest causes of developmental delay in children, with equilibrium problems being an integral part of the syndrome. This leads to further impairment of cognitive and concentration abilities.
Material and Methods:
In our study, 30 DS children were categorized into 3 groups: bilateral normal middle ear pressure, bilateral abnormal middle ear pressure, and unilateral abnormal middle ear pressure. Sensory components of balance (somatosensory, visual, and vestibular) were assessed using computerized dynamic posturography
Results:
Results showed a statistically significant decrease in composite score, visual ratio, and vestibular ratio among DS children compared to normal children. No significant differences in sensory parameters between the various DS groups (with various tympanogram types) were encountered.
Conclusions:
This might lead one to suspect central and proprioceptive causes behind balance problems in DS, but further extended studies are needed to confirm this. Bedside screening tests for visual and vestibular functioning of balance are recommended, e.g. past pointing and Fukuda for early detection and intervention.
Down syndrome (DS) is one of the commonest causes of developmental delay in children, with equilibrium problems being an integral part of the syndrome. This leads to further impairment of cognitive and concentration abilities.
Material and Methods:
In our study, 30 DS children were categorized into 3 groups: bilateral normal middle ear pressure, bilateral abnormal middle ear pressure, and unilateral abnormal middle ear pressure. Sensory components of balance (somatosensory, visual, and vestibular) were assessed using computerized dynamic posturography
Results:
Results showed a statistically significant decrease in composite score, visual ratio, and vestibular ratio among DS children compared to normal children. No significant differences in sensory parameters between the various DS groups (with various tympanogram types) were encountered.
Conclusions:
This might lead one to suspect central and proprioceptive causes behind balance problems in DS, but further extended studies are needed to confirm this. Bedside screening tests for visual and vestibular functioning of balance are recommended, e.g. past pointing and Fukuda for early detection and intervention.
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