Özet:
Aim: Morbidity and mortality of children with Down syndrome (DS) have decreased and their quality of life has increased with modern
medicine. The purpose of this study is to assess the developmental characteristics and activities of children with DS and also their
participation to life, the environmental factors, the services they receive and their health and sociodemographic characteristics by
using Expanded Guide for Monitoring Child Development (E-GMCD)
Material and Methods: Children diagnosed with DS who were admitted to hospital were assessed with E-GMCD. Health information
and the family’s sociodemographic features were supplied from families and hospital files.
Results: The study included a total of 100 children diagnosed with DS, 41 girls and 59 boys, who were between 2-59 months of
age. The mothers of the 63 children stated that they were concerned about their children’s learning, motor skills, communication,
relationships with others, and senses (sense of hearing and seeing). Of the 57 (81%) children were found to have delay in expressive
language and were older than 1 year old (p<0.05). The delay in gross motor domain seemed to decrease with the increase by age,
it was not found to be statistically significant (p>0.05). A majority of children who received specialized education and physiotherapy
were between ages of 2 and 4.
Conclusion: Children with DS should be monitored regularly beginning from the day they are born. These children should get early
education to speed up their cognitive development. Family centered early support programs should start as early as possible
