Pneumonia and respiratory infections in Down syndrome: A scoping review of the literature

Abstract

Pneumonia and respiratory infections impact infants and children with Down syndrome; pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality in adults with Down syndrome. We aimed to review the literature to evaluate gaps and address key questions. A series of key questions were formulated a priori to inform the search strategy and review process; addressed prevalence, severity, etiology, risk factors, preventive methods, screening, and financial costs, potential benefits or harms of screening. Using the National Library of Medicine database, PubMed, detailed literature searches on pneumonia and respiratory infections in Down syndrome were performed. Previously identified review articles were also assessed. The quality of available evidence was then evaluated and knowledge gaps were identified. Forty‐two relevant original articles were identified which addressed at least one key question. Study details including research design, internal validity, external validity, and relevant results are presented. Pneumonia and respiratory infections are more prevalent and more severe in individuals with Down syndrome compared to healthy controls through literature review, yet there are gaps in the literature regarding the etiology of pneumonia, the infectious organism, risk factors for infection, and to guide options for prevention and screening. There is urgent need for additional research studies in Down syndrome, especially in the time of the current COVID‐19 pandemic.

Transition to virtual clinic: Experience in a multidisciplinary clinic for Down syndrome

“…Prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, we knew that patients with Down syndrome (DS) have differences in respiratory infections compared to the general population(Santoro et al, 2020). In childhood, pneumonia is the primary cause of hospital admissions for patients with DS, and lower respiratory tract infections accounted for 40% of admissions (Hilton, Fitzgerald, & Cooper, 1999).…”

Pneumonia and respiratory infection in Down syndrome: A 10‐year cohort analysis of inpatient and outpatient encounters across the lifespan

“…Review articles describe the pulmonary complications of DS during childhood, but devote a small section to pneumonia specifically (McDowell & Craven, 2011). Recently a literature review of 42 articles regarding pneumonia and respiratory infections in persons with DS underscored that there is an increased risk of pneumonia prevalence and severe illness among individuals with DS (Santoro et al, 2020). Strikingly, the literature review found that there are critical knowledge gaps in the prevention and screening of risk factors for pneumonia in the DS population as well as lack of infectious organism identification (Santoro et al, 2020).…”

“…Recently a literature review of 42 articles regarding pneumonia and respiratory infections in persons with DS underscored that there is an increased risk of pneumonia prevalence and severe illness among individuals with DS (Santoro et al, 2020). Strikingly, the literature review found that there are critical knowledge gaps in the prevention and screening of risk factors for pneumonia in the DS population as well as lack of infectious organism identification (Santoro et al, 2020). Researchers identified that literature is lacking regarding clinical indicators of pneumonia in persons with DS and in particular among living adults with DS (Santoro et al, 2020).…”

“…Strikingly, the literature review found that there are critical knowledge gaps in the prevention and screening of risk factors for pneumonia in the DS population as well as lack of infectious organism identification (Santoro et al, 2020). Researchers identified that literature is lacking regarding clinical indicators of pneumonia in persons with DS and in particular among living adults with DS (Santoro et al, 2020).…”

A Síndrome de Down ante a infecção por Coronavírus

“…Tido isso, estudos demonstraram que essa classe tem prevalência sete vezes maior de pneumonia e apresentam gravidade aumentada em infecções respiratórias, com maior risco de hospitalização, necessidade de terapia intensiva e uso de ventilação mecânica, quando comparados ao grupo controle. Em infecções pelo SARS-CoV-2, ensaios estimaram que a incidência de hospitalização na população com SD foi 8,9 vezes maior (IC: 4,00 -20,0) do que na população geral, para indivíduos entre 30 e 64 anos e esses pacientes eram, em média, 10 anos mais jovens do que o restante da população hospitalizada (Kantar et al, 2020;Santoro, 2020;Olsen, 2020).…”