MORTALITY AND LIFE‐TABLE IN DOWN'S SYNDROME

TLDR

Down’s syndrome is associated with significantly higher mortality rates than the general population. The authors tabulated causes of death in 130 patients and calculated mortality rates from a cohort of 524 patients, constructing a life‑table for ages over five years. The study found that individuals with Down’s syndrome have a 5–7 fold higher overall death rate than the general population, with no sex difference, and that excess mortality is particularly pronounced for heart, respiratory, and certain infectious diseases.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Øster, J., Mikkelsen, M. and Nielsen, A. (Department of Paediatrics, Randers Centralsygehus, Randers, John F. Kennedy Institute, Glostrup, and the Institute for Human Genetics, University of Copenhagen, Denmark). Mortality and life‐table in Down's syndrome. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:322, 1975.–The causes of death in 130 patients with Down's Syndrome and mortality rates from a material of 524 patients were tabulated; a life‐table for the ages over 5 years was constructed. An overall death rate of 5–7 times the general population rate was found. No sex difference was observed. The excess mortality was especially high for heart disease and respiratory disease. Also infectious diseases, others than pneumonia and tuberculosis, showed high mortality rates.