Pediatr. praxi. 2023;24(3):169-174 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2023.050

Immunodysregulatory aspects of children with Down syndrome

MUDr. Peter Kunč, PhD.¹, MUDr. Jaroslav Fábry, PhD.², MUDr. Peter Ferenc, PhD.¹, MUDr. Tomáš Strachan, PhD.¹, MUDr. Michaela Matiščáková¹

¹ Národný ústav detskej tuberkulózy a respiračných chorôb, n. o., Dolný Smokovec

² Klinika detskej tuberkulózy a respiračných chorôb JLF UK a Národného ústavu detskej tuberkulózy a respiračných chorôb, n. o., Dolný Smokovec

Unlike other rare genetic disorders, a paediatrician often encounters many cases of children with Down syndrome during clinical practice. This syndrome is characterised by the complexity of characteristic functional and structural manifestations in every organ system. The immune system of children with this syndrome is characterised by various functionally limiting disturbances related to the regulation of immune mechanisms that maintain the integrity of the organism against endogenous and exogenous factors. This results not only in an increased susceptibility to recurrent and severe respiratory infections, but also in a predisposition to selected autoimmune and oncological complications and inadequate pro-inflammatory responses to pathogens with a risk of developing sepsis with related poor outcomes. Acquiring important knowledge and consequent preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, the paediatrician can improve the health care provided to these children with an improved quality of life and reduction of limiting symptoms resulting from disturbances in balance and interactions between different parts of the immune system.

Keywords: children, Down syndrome, immune system, immunodysregulation, recurrent respiratory infections.

Accepted: June 8, 2023; Published: June 15, 2023  Show citation