Underlying factors of recurrent infections in patients with down syndrome

Abstract

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal aberration. Patientswith Down syndrome suffer more infections than those without the disease. Underlying immunological disorders are consideredto be the reason for the increasing frequency of infections in patients with Down syndrome. In addition, some anatomical abnormalities in the respiratory tractaccompanying Down syndrome can disturb the innate immunity and contribute to the increase in infection rate. Respiratory tract infections are one of the most common causes of mortality in patients with Down syndrome. Awareness of the underlying reason for frequent respiratory tract infections should result in a decrease in mortality among these patients and contribute to an improvementin their quality of life.

Keywords

• down syndrome
• infections; innate immunity; immune deficiency.