Development, Behavior Problems, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Eight-Year-Old Children with Down Syndrome: Poster Presentation

Objective: Children with Down syndrome (DS) have delayed psychomotor development. We investigated levels of development, problem behavior, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Dutch eightyear- old children with DS. Developmental outcomes were compared with normative data of eight-yearold children from the general population. Methods: We enrolled 337 (∽40% of the total population of) children with DS born in the Netherlands between 1992 and 1994 with DS. Developmental skills were determined by means of the McCarthy Scales of Children's Ability. To measure emotional and behavioral problems we used the Child Behavior Checklist. The HRQoL was assessed with the TNO-AZL Children's Quality of Life (TACQOL) questionnaire. Students' T-tests were applied to compare groups. Results: Mean developmental age in boys with DS was 3.6 years (SD 0.85), in girls 4.2 years (SD 0.82) (p< 0.001). Mean developmental age was substantially lower than the mean calendar age (for both boys and girls 8.1 years, SD 0.15). When compared with the general population, children with DS had more emotional and behavioral problems (p< 0.001), except for the anxious/depressed scale on which they scored more favorable (p< 0.001). Significantly lower HRQoL scores for the TACQOL scales gross motor skills, autonomy, social functioning and cognitive functioning were found (p-values < 0.001). Hardly any differences were found with regard to the scales physical complaints, positive and negative emotions. Conclusions: Eight-year-old children with DS have an average developmental delay of four years, more emotional and behavioral problems, and a less favorable HRQoL compared to children from the general population.