Down's syndrome (DS) is an extensively researched congenital condition characterized by mental retardation and distinct physical features. The cutaneous manifestations of DS are numerous, yet they seldom receive appropriate attention.
Objective:
To review the dermatological conditions associated with DS.
Methods:
A review of the medical literature.
Results:
DS is associated with an increased incidence of numerous dermatological conditions, some of which may be related to an immunological deficiency.
Conclusion:
Along with the importance of understanding the physical and psychosocial aspects of DS, an appreciation of the dermatological manifestations of this condition is integral to comprehensive medical care.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
TolkinJMeschinoWS. The primary care of the child with Down syndrome. Contemp Pediatr1994; 12–22.
2.
CooleyWCGrahamJMJr.. Down syndrome: An update and review for the primary pediatrician. Clin Pediatr1991; 30(4):233–253.
3.
SeashoreMR. Health supervision for children with Down syndrome. Pediatrics1994; 93 (5):855–859.
4.
FitzpatrickTBEisenAZWolffK, eds. Dermatology in general medicine, 4th ed.New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993.
5.
PueschelSM. Clinical aspects of Down syndrome from infancy to adulthood. Am J Med Genet1990; 7(suppl):52–56.
6.
SmithDJonesK, eds. Recognizable patterns of human malformation, 3rd ed.Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1982.
7.
PolenghiMMPiattoniFOrsiniGB. Dermatologic disorders in Down syndrome (abstract). Am J Med Genet1990; 7(suppl):324.
8.
CarterDMJegasothyBV. Alopecia areata and Down syndrome. Arch Dermatol1976; 112:1397–1399.
9.
HowellsG. Down's syndrome and the general practitioner. J R Coll Gen Pract1989; 39:470–475.
10.
Van Schrojensterin Lantman-De ValkHMJHavemanMJCrebolderHFJM. Comorbidity in people with Down's syndrome: A criteria-based analysis. J Intellect Disabil Res1996; 40(5):385–399.
11.
ButterworthTLeoniEPBeermanH. Cheilitis of mongolism. J Invest Dermatol1960; 35:347–352.
12.
RasmussenJE. Disseminated elastosis perforans serpiginosa in four Mongoloids. Br J Dermatol1972; 86:9–13.
13.
ErcisMBaiciSAtakanN. Dermatologic manifestations of 71 Down syndrome children admitted to a clinical genetics unit. Clin Genet1996; 50:317–320.
14.
BruggeKLGroveGLCloptonP. Evidence for accelerated skin wrinkling among developmentally delayed individuals with Down's syndrome. Mech Ageing Dev1993; 70:213–225.
15.
AshtonRLeppardB. Differential diagnosis in dermatology, 2nd ed.Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press, 1993.
16.
FrankelDH. Field guide to clinical dermatology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
17.
SafaviKHMullerSASumanVJ. Incidence of alopecia areata in Olmsted County, Minnesota, 1975 through 1989. Mayo Clin Proc1995; 70:628–633.
18.
SchepisCSiragusaM. Secondary anetoderma in people with Down's syndrome. Acta Derm Venereol1999; 79(3):245.
19.
HodakEShamai-LubovitzODavidM. Immunologic abnormalities associated with primary anetoderma. Arch Dermatol1992; 128(6):799–803.
20.
HabifTP. Clinical dermatology. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, 1996.
21.
ScherbenskeJMBensonPMRotchfordJP. Cutaneous and ocular manifestations of Down syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol1990; 22:933–938.
22.
SchepisCBaroneCSiragusaM. Prevalence of atopic dermatitis in patients with Down syndrome: A clinical survey. J Am Acad Dermatol1997; 36:1019–1021.
23.
KayJGawkrodgerDJMortimerMJ. The prevalence of childhood atopic eczema in a general population. J Am Acad Dermatol1994; 30(1):35–39.
24.
SamsWMJrLynchPJ. Principles and practice of dermatology, 2nd ed.New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1996.
MirallesESNunezMDe Las HerasME. Pityriasis rubra pilaris and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Br J Dermatol1995; 133:990–993.
40.
Sanchez-ReganaMFuentesCGCreusL. Pityriasis rubra pilaris and HIV infection: A part of the spectrum of HIV-associated follicular syndrome. Br J Dermatol1995; 133:814–821.
41.
MathesBMDenglassMC. Seborrheic dermatitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. J Am Acad Dermatol1985; 13:947.
42.
ButterworthTStreanLBeermanH. Syringoma and mongolism. Arch Dermatol1964; 90:483–487.
43.
UrbanCDCannonJRColeRD. Eruptive syringomas in Down's syndrome. Arch Dermatol1981; 117:374–375.
