OBJECTIVE: To systematic review studies of growth charts in children and teenagers with Down syndrome from differ-ent countries published between 1978 and 2008. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases (Medline, Lilacs) and references of the selected citations of papers published be-tween 1972-2008. The growth charts of Down syndrome in different countries were analyzed. Studies related only to head circumference charts and Down syndrome growth studies without curves were excluded. In order to describe the variables of weight and length, kilograms, centimeters and Z scores were used. DATA SYNTHESIS: Lower birth length and weight, final short stature, higher prevalence of overweight/obesity in late childhood/adolescence (about 30%) and a reduced growth velocity are cardinal features of growth in Down syndrome. Congenital heart defects and other major dis-eases frequently occur and are possible causes of growth delay. Individual mean final height varied between 141.9 to 155cm for girls and 150 to165cm for boys (-2.0 to -4.0 standard deviations). CONCLUSIONS: A delay in growth velocity, a shorter fi-nal stature and a shorter and earlier pubertal growth were observed in this review. There was a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity after late childhood. The use of specific growth charts can help the early recognition of additional diseases and/or incipient obesity/overweight in patients with Down syndrome.
Down syndrome; body height; body weight; growth charts
