Treinamento esfincteriano em crianças com síndrome de Down: um estudo caso controle

Abstract

Introduction: Children with Down syndrome have delayed psychomotor development, which determines the level of difficulty in toilet training. The current study aims to estimate at what age they start and complete toilet training compared to children with typical psychomotor development, as well as to evaluate the toilet training method used and any association with lower urinary tract symptoms and functional constipation. Patients and methods: A case-control study was carried out from 2010 to 2015. All parents completed a questionnaire designed to assess the toilet training process. Lower urinary tract symptoms was assessed through the application of the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score. The presence of functional constipation was evaluated according to the Rome III criteria. Results: The study included 93 children with Down Syndrome and 204 children with normal psychomotor development (Control Group). The average age children started toilet training was 22.75 months in those with Down Syndrome and 17.49 months in the Control Group (p= 0.001). In children with Down Syndrome, the average age when completing toilet training was 56.25 months and 27.06 months in the Control Group (p= 0.001). Among children with Down Syndrome, females completed toilet training earlier (p= 0.02). The toilet training method used most often was child-oriented approach in both groups. There was no association with the presence of lower urinary tract symptoms or functional constipation and the age of begin and complete toilet training in both groups. Conclusion: Children with Down Syndrome experiencedprolonged toilet training time. Females with Down Syndrome complete toilet training earlier. Cohort studies are essential to gain insight into thetoilet training process in children with Down Syndrome.