Characterization of newborns with Down Syndrome according to health, demographic and social conditions in Medellín from the period 2015 to 2019

Abstract

The adaptation of specialized care for newborns with Down syndrome (DS) requires recognition of its characteristics at the local level. Goal: to characterize newborns diagnosed with DS and their mothers in maternal and child care units in the city of Medellín. Also, explore the factors associated with timely prenatal diagnosis. Methods: observational, cross-sectional study, based on medical records of newborns diagnosed with DS in seven institutions in Medellín, Antioquia between January 2015 and December 2019, taking into account both maternal and neonatal variables. Initially, a univariate analysis was performed using absolute and relative frequencies, then a bivariate analysis was performed taking into account neonatal outcomes according to access to prenatal care and the time at which the diagnosis was made (prenatal or neonatal), and finally a multivariate analysis for late neonatal diagnosis. Results: 50.2% of the mothers at the time of delivery were 35 years old or younger, of these 59.9% belonged to the contributory regime and 83.4% had 4 prenatal check-ups or more, despite this, it was found that only 33.7% had a prenatal diagnosis of DS. The majority (91.4%) of the neonates had a diagnosis of congenital heart disease and the prolonged hospital stay was related to related morbidity. Conclusion: DS is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in our environment, which can be diagnosed early. However, in our study it was possible to show that despite the high coverage of prenatal controls, the frequency of antenatal diagnosis is lower, which requires that these controls be carried out by medical personnel trained in patients with this type of pathology. This will finally be reflected in a better acceptance by the family towards the arrival of a child with this condition and, of course, better access to specialized health services.