The Importance of Knowing Growth and Pubertal Development in Down Syndrome

Knowing growth and pubertal development in Down Syndrome (DS) is very important to early detect catch down growth/weight or pubertal delay that can suggest disorders such as autoimmune diseases, endocrinophaties or oncological pathologies. These pathologies are more frequent in children with DS [1] and their presenting symptoms can be growth failure and delay of puberty because of poor food intake, increased caloric utilization and consequent abnormal neuroendocrine regulation of growth and puberty [2,3]. A prompt diagnosis and an appropriate therapy can reduce comorbidities and allow adequate catch-up growth/weight and pubertal development. Since growth in children with DS differs markedly from that of normal children, the use of DS specific growth charts is important for diagnosis.