IgG subclasses serum concentrations in a population of children with Down syndrome: comparative study with siblings and general population.

Serum total IgG and subclasses were determined in three different groups of children: with Down syndrome, their siblings and general pediatric population. Several cases of IgG2 and IgG4 deficiency were identified, predominantly in children with Down syndrome. The differences, considering three age groups, were statistically significant for both groups in relation to the general population group, with an increase of IgG1 and IgG3 and a decrease in serum concentrations of IgG2 and IgG4. Down syndrome children and their siblings tend o have a similar variation of the IgG4 serum concentration levels (P < 0.05). The mechanisms of this concordance are not well understood. The results point out that an adequate strategy to improve the immune status of Down syndrome children could have a positive manifestation in the immune profile of their brothers.

IgG subclasses serum concentrations in a population of children with Down syndrome: Comparative study with siblings and general population

Serum total IgG and subclasses were determined in three different groups of children: with Down syndrome, their siblings and general pediatric population. Several cases of IgG2 and IgG4 deficiency were identified, predominantly in children with Down syndrome. The differences, considering three age groups, were statistically significant for both groups in relation to the general population group, with an increase of IgG1 and IgG3 and a decrease in serum concentrations of IgG2 and IgG4. Down syndrome children and their siblings tend o have a similar variation of the IgG4 serum concentration levels (P < 0.05). The mechanisms of this concordance are not well understood. The results point out that an adequate strategy to improve the immune status of Down syndrome children could have a positive manifestation in the immune profile of their brothers (AU)

Se determinaron el suero total IgG y subclases en tres grupos distintos de niños: con síndrome de Down, sus hermanos y población pediátrica general. Se identificaron varios casos de deficiencia en suero IgG2 e IgG4, principalmente en niños con síndrome de Down. Las diferencias, considerando tres grupos de edad, resultaban estadísticamente significativas en ambos grupos en relación con el grupo de población general, con un aumento de IgG1 e IgG3 y un descenso de las concentraciones de suero de IgG2 e IgG4. Los niños con síndrome de Down y sus hermanos tienen tendencia a presentar una variación similar de los niveles de concentración de suero IgG4 (p < 0,05). Los mecanismos de esta concordancia no se entienden demasiado bien. Los resultados indican que una estrategia adecuada para mejorar las condiciones inmunológicas de los niños con síndrome de Down podría tener una manifestación positiva en el perfil inmunológico de sus hermanos (AU)

Characterisation of the somatic evolution of Portuguese children with Trisomy 21--preliminary results.

We present preliminary results of a cross-sectional study which had the following objectives: 1--to develop percentile curves of weight, height and head circumference of Portuguese children with Trisomy 21 from 0 to 48 months of age; 2--a comparison of the growth of children with Trisomy 21 with a control population of their siblings, and 3--a comparison between the growth of Portuguese and American children with Trisomy 21 (based on the data of Cronk et al). We conclude that: 1--there is growth delay (weight, height, head circumference) in the Portuguese children with Trisomy 21, in all of the parameters evaluated and in all age groups; 2--Portuguese children with Trisomy 21 present values similar to those obtained by Cronk et al until 24 months of age; 3--from the age of 30 months onward Portuguese children with Trisomy 21 were heavier and taller than American children with Trisomy 21. This supports the usefulness of percentile curves specifically for Portuguese children with Trisomy 21.