Early death and causes of death of people with Down syndrome: A systematic review

O'Leary, Lisa; Hughes-McCormack, Laura; Dunn, Kirsty; Cooper, Sally-Ann

Abstract

Background: It is thought that people with Down syndrome die younger than the general population, but that survival rates are improving.
Methods: Five databases were searched for key words related to intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and mortality. Strict inclusion criteria were applied. Information from 34 selected studies was tabulated, extracted and synthesised.
Results: People with Down syndrome died about 28 years younger than the general population. Congenital heart anomalies, comorbidities, low birth-weight, and black and minority ethnicity influenced earlier age of death, as did younger maternal age and poorer parental education. Congenital heart anomalies and respiratory conditions were the leading causes of death, and more common than in the general population. Survival rates have improved over time, particularly for those with congenital heart anomalies.
Conclusions: People with Down syndrome are living longer but still die younger, of different causes than the general population. More robust comparative data is needed, and ethnic differences require further study.

Citation

O'Leary, L., Hughes-McCormack, L., Dunn, K., & Cooper, S. (2018). Early death and causes of death of people with Down syndrome: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(5), 687-708. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12446

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 26, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Mar 24, 2018
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Deposit Date: Feb 13, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 25, 2020
• Journal: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
• Print ISSN: 1360-2322
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 687-708
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12446
• Keywords: cause of death; health inequality; intellectual disability; life expectancy; mortality; systematic review
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/1034969