people with down syndrome face major risk of dying of covid

advocates say those with down syndrome should be considered high risk

by dave yasvinski

published oct 28, 2020

last updated mar 14, 2023

3 minute read

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3 minute read

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underlying health conditions may make people with down syndrome more vulnerable to the virus. getty

people living with down syndrome have 10 times the risk of succumbing to covid-19 than those without the genetic disorder, a sobering new study reveals. the research, published in the annals of internal medicine, also discovered patients with down syndrome were four times more likely to require hospitalization after contracting the virus and found them to be “a group that is not strategically protected,” according to cnn.

“from the beginning of the pandemic, we have been concerned about our community, especially given the complex medical histories of many of our loved ones,” said kandi pickard, president and ceo of the national down syndrome society. “this recent study confirms our concerns.”

researchers examined data from more than 8 million people that were part of a covid-19 risk assessment project in the u.k. that began in january. they made adjustments for the inherent risks people with down syndrome face, such as residing in long-term care facilities, which can be dangerous breeding grounds for the virus.

of the 8.26 million adults in the study, 4,053 had down syndrome, 68 of which died (from any cause) during the course of the study. forty per cent were killed by covid-19, 17 fell victim to pneumonia/pneumonitis and 35 per cent died from other causes.

researchers compared that to the 41,000 people without down syndrome who also died during the course of the study. of this group, 20 per cent were killed by covid-19, 14 per cent lost their lives to pneumonia/pneumonitis and 65 per cent of deaths were attributed to other causes.

“(down syndrome) is associated with immune dysfunction, congenital heart failure, and pulmonary pathology and, given its prevalence, may be a relevant albeit unconfirmed risk factor for severe covid-19,” said the researchers. they believe the study’s findings should be used to inform public policy and protect at-risk individuals.

down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of part or all of a third copy of chromosome 21, usually produced during abnormal cell division in either the sperm or egg. about half of all babies diagnosed with the condition are also found to have a congenital heart defect. they are at increased risk for developmental issues and a host of other conditions, including hearing loss, ear infections and eye disease.

because much remains unknown about the connection between the virus and down syndrome, many health agencies have not issued specific guidance for people with the condition. however, the global down syndrome foundation stresses the group should be considered high risk because many of the disorder’s underlying conditions — such as sleep apnea and increased risk of respiratory infections — make them more vulnerable to the virus.

the issue is compounded by the fact that patients with down syndrome can have difficulty expressing themselves and processing information, which may lead to difficulty understanding and following covid safety protocols such as physical distancing and wearing protective masks. the national down syndrome society has put together a factsheet that explains some other issues of concern. “people with down syndrome may also have a hard time telling others when they don’t feel well,” it says. “they may have trouble knowing they have symptoms or how to describe them. for these reasons, they may not raise concerns or seek medical care quickly. therefore, it is necessary to pay close attention and be watchful.”

there are approximately 45,000 canadians living with down syndrome, according to the canadian down syndrome society, an advocacy group that helps patients live longer, healthier and more productive lives. if you or anyone you know is in need of more information, they are a good place to find support and a healthy way forward.

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