This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Waldron, A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Waldron, A. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

An audit of haematological dysfunction in an adult Down's syndrome population: a brief report

This paper reports on an audit undertaken on a population of adult clients with Down's syndrome with regard to haematological and thyroid status in order to detect their state of health in these areas. A letter was sent requesting the clients to attend their local hospital for the relevant blood tests, i.e. full blood count, random blood glucose and thyroid function tests: 116 clients were targeted. The overall response rate was 78.26%. A significant level of minor haematological abnormalities was detected. Sixty-five per cent (52 of 80 responders) had marginally elevated mean cell volume and/or mean cell haemoglobin values. If all minor anomalies were taken into account, e.g. reduced lymphocyte, eosinophil or basophil count, 86.3% (69 of 80 responders) had some abnormality detected. Thyroid function assessment revealed abnormalities in 30.7% (or 27 of 88) of responders, while raised random blood glucose levels were found in 16% (or 13 of 81) responders. A significant level of subclinical morbidity was detected, particularly regarding thyroid disease. The case for regular thyroid function screening is strongly supported, though less so regarding haematological status and glucose levels. A balance between monitoring the well-being of a vulnerable section of the population living in the community against interfering with their autonomy and independence, continues to be a struggle for health awareness amongst care-givers is essential in order to offer an adequate health service to the learning disabled.

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 1, No. 2, 53-56 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/146900479700100202


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?