Down's Syndrome

 

Epidemiology

 

1 in 800

 

Etiology

 

Trisomy 21

- 95% non disjunction during meiosis

- 4% are result of translocation (Chr 21 joins to Chr 14)

- 1% are mosaics

 

Advanced maternal age

- 1/ 50 mothers > 45

- however mothers < 30 still most common

 

General Features

 

Characteristic facies 

Developmental delay

Short stature

Simian crease - single palmar crease

Clinodactyly - coronal deformity fifth ray

 

simian creaseclinodactyly

 

Medical Complications

 

Cardiac defects 50% - ASD, VSD

 

Endocrine disorders - hypothyroidism 15%, DM 1%

 

Duodenal atresia 10%

 

Alzheimers 70%

 

Orthopedic Issues

 

2 main orthopaedic problems

- atlanto-axial instability

- hip instability

 

Also

- scoliosis

- spondylolithesis

- SUFE

- ligament laxity - patellar subluxation, planovalgus feet

 

Atlantoaxial Instability

 

Incidence 20%

- usually asymptomatic

- shouldn't play contact sports

- occasionally have neurological defects from dislocation

- can perform C1/2 fusion

 

Hip Instability

 

 

Incidence 3%

 

Etiology

- ligamentous laxity

- increased femoral anteversion

- acetabulum shallow and anteverted 

 

Examination

- walk ER to maintain location

- hip can spontaneously sublux / dislocated and reduce

 

Treatment

 

FDRO + capsular plication