Patterns Of Autoimmune Diseases Among Yemeni Children with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome can be associated with autoimmune diseases such as Celiac disease, autoimmune Thyroiditis, Type 1 DM and other diseases. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypothyroidism, Type 1 DM, and Celiac disease in Yemeni children with Down syndrome as well as the most common mother's age for the occurrence of this syndrome. Method: This study was cross-sectional study involving one hundred and six Yemeni children with Down syndrome selected by simple random sampling from Special Needs Centers for Down syndrome in Sana'a city, Yemen, during 2019. These children were investigated for the presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, TSH, and T4 for hypothyroidism; random blood sugar, anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies for Type 1 DM; and antitransglutaminase immunoglobulin A, and G antibodies for Celiac disease. Results: The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in the 106 Yemeni children with Down syndrome was 5.77% hypothyroidism, 2.8% Type 1 DM, and 0.94% Celiac disease. The highest number of Down syndrome babies were born at 41 to 50 years of mother's age. Conclusion: Hypothyroidism was the most prevalent autoimmune disease in Yemeni children with Down syndrome and Celiac disease was the least prevalent. Down syndrome can occur at any maternal age, but may increase with age. Children suffering from Down syndrome should be monitored periodically for autoimmune diseases to make early diagnosis, start early treatment, and decrease the occurrence of complications.