Comparative study between dental caries prevalence of Down syndrome children and their siblings.

The purpose of this epidemiological study was to determine the differences in the prevalence of caries between individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and their siblings. A sibling-matched, population-based and cross-sectional survey was performed. This study involved 138 (62%) children with DS and 86 (38%) siblings, aged 2-26.

Voice parameters in children with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent chromosomal disorder. Commonly, individuals with DS have difficulties with speech and show an unusual quality in the voice. Their phenotypic characteristics include general hypotonia and maxillary hypoplasia with relative macroglossia, and these contribute to particular acoustic alterations.

Oxidative stress in Portuguese children with Down syndrome.

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome have an accelerated process of ageing which is thought to be associated with oxidative stress.

Aim: Since Zn/Cu superoxide dismutase is increased by about 50% in children with Down syndrome, glutathione and other less known antioxidant mechanisms were studied to determine whether there were changes in reactive oxygen species.

Methods: Plasma reduced and oxidised glutathione and red blood cells enzymes including acid phosphatase, methemoglobin reductase and transmembrane reductase were evaluated in Portuguese children with Down syndrome and their siblings, who were used as a control group.