Increased risk of respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome: the consequence of an altered immune system

Beatrijs L P Bloemers; Chantal J M Broers; Louis Bont; Michel E Weijerman; Reinoud J B J Gemke; A Marceline van Furth

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2010.05.007

Increased risk of respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome: the consequence of an altered immune system

Microbes Infect. 2010 Oct;12(11):799-808. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.05.007. Epub 2010 Jun 2.

Authors

Beatrijs L P Bloemers¹, Chantal J M Broers, Louis Bont, Michel E Weijerman, Reinoud J B J Gemke, A Marceline van Furth

Affiliation

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 20685340
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2010.05.007

Abstract

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality among live-born infants. Respiratory tract infections are the most important cause of mortality in individuals with DS at all ages. In recent decades several studies have been performed to elucidate abnormalities of the immune system in DS. However, the influence of the immune system on the occurrence of respiratory tract infections in these children has never been reviewed.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Down Syndrome / complications*
Down Syndrome / immunology*
Humans
Immune System / physiopathology*
Infant, Newborn
Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology*
Respiratory Tract Infections / immunology
Risk Assessment