Current Issue
Volumes and Issues
For Authors
Manuscript Guidelines
Review Process
Conflict of Interest
Copyright
About the Journal
Editorial Board
Aim and Scope
Policy and Ethical Guidelines
Promotion of the Journal
Print-Version Subscription
Publisher and Contact Information
Contact Information
Sign in as an AUTHOR/REVIEWER
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.
REFERENCES (15)
1.
Zhu J, Hasle H, Correa A, Schendel D, Friedman J, Olsen J et al. Survival among people with Down syndrome: a nationwide population-based study in Denmark. Genet Med, 2013; 15(1): 64–9.
2.
Blaser S, Propst E, Martin D, Feigenbaum A, James A, Shannon P et al. Inner ear dysplasia is common in children with Down syndrome (trisomy 21). Laryngoscope, 2006; 116(12): 2113–9.
3.
Coppens MC, Maassen BAM, van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk HMJ, Snik AFM. Hearing disorders and auditory speech processing difficulties in adults with Down syndrome: a review of the literature. J Hear Sci, 2011; 1(3): RA11–17.
4.
Hanes D, McCollum G. Cognitive-vestibular interactions: a review of patient difficulties and possible mechanisms. J Vestib Res, 2006; 16(3): 75–91.
5.
Coppens-Hofman MC, Maassen BAM, van Schrojenstein Lantman-deValk HMJ, Snik AFM. Speech difficulties and poor speech intelligibility in adults with Down syndrome: a review of the literature. J Hear Sci, 2012; 2(1): RA9–16.
6.
Galli M, Rigoldi C, Mainardi L, Tenore N, Onorati P, Albertini G. Postural control in patients with Down syndrome. Disabil Rehabil, 2008; 30(17): 1274–8.
7.
Driscoll C, Kei J, Hearn K, Walsh T, Swann S. Diagnostic accuracy of high-frequency distortion-product otoacoustic emission screening of schoolchildren with Down syndrome. J Hear Sci, 2014; 4(1): OA9–17.
8.
Villarroya MA, González-Agüero A, Moros-García T, de la Flor Marín M, Moreno LA, Casajús JA. Static standing balance in adolescents with Down syndrome. Res Dev Disabil, 2012; 33(4): 1294–300.
9.
Miura M, Sando I, Balaban CD, Haginomori S, Orita Y. Temporal bone morphometric study on the eustachian tube and its associated structures in patients with chromosomal aberrations. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 2002; 111(8): 722–9.
10.
Wolf SL, Barnhart HX, Ellison GL, Coogler CE. The effect of Tai Chi Quan and computerized balance training on postural stability in older subjects. Atlanta FICSIT Group. Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies on Intervention Techniques. Phys Ther, 1997; 77(4): 371–81.
11.
Rodman R, Pine HS. The otolaryngologist’s approach to the patient with Down syndrome. Otolaryngol Clin North Am, 2012; 45(3): 599–629.
12.
Carvalho RL, Almeida GL. The effect of vibration on postural response of Down syndrome individuals on the seesaw. Res Dev Disabil, 2009; 30(6): 1124–31.
13.
Casselbrant ML, Villardo RJ, Mandel EM. Balance and otitis media with effusion. Int J Audiol, 2008; 47(9): 584–9.
14.
Boot FH, Pel JJ, Evenhuis HM, van der Steen J. Factors related to impaired visual orienting behavior in children with intellectual disabilities. Res Dev Disabil, 2012; 33(5): 1670–6.
15.
Wuang YP, Su CY. Correlations of sensory processing and visual organization ability with participation in school-aged children with Down syndrome. Res Dev Disabil, 2011; 32(6): 2398–407.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
