Developmental Delay

Question 1

What is hypotonia?

Answer 1

Reduced resistance to passive range of motion.

Question 2

Can hypotonia be present without muscle weakness?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

What scale can be used to assess hypermobility?

Answer 3

Beighton scale

Question 4

What causes Down Syndrome?

Answer 4

A faulty cell division in the 21st pair of chromosomes, resulting in 47 chromosomes

Question 5

What is the prevalence of Down Syndrome in Australia?

Answer 5

1 in 1100 births

Question 6

How is prenatal screening for Down Syndrome done?

Answer 6

Ultrasound examination allows an estimate of the risk by assessing the skin folds at the back of the neck

Question 7

What are the common characteristics of Down Syndrome?

Answer 7

• Low muscle tone (hypotonia) and ligamentous laxity (hypermobility)
• Cognitive impairment
• Congenital heart disease
• Hearing impairments
• Visual deficit
• Seizures
• Obesity
• Hypothyroidism
• Atlantoaxial instability

Question 8

What motor development issues are had with Down Syndrome?

Answer 8

• Delayed gross motor development
• Difficulties with postural control and balance
• Requires more time to learn movements as complexity increases
• Slower reaction times during movement
• Reduced strength

Question 9

What other aspects of development are delayed with Down Syndrome?

Answer 9

• Oral motor and feeding
• Speech and language
• Fine motor
• Social and behavioural

Question 10

What are common musculoskeletal issues associated with Down Syndrome?

Answer 10

• Shorter stature with decreased length in long bones
• Atlantoaxial instability
• Recurrent dislocations of the patella and occasionally hip
• Mild to moderate scoliosis

Question 11

How is atlantoaxial instability diagnosed? How old must the child be?

Answer 11

An x-ray of the cervical spine is taken to measure excessive movement of C1/C2 during flexion and extension.
Child must be at least three years of age.