International Journal of Enhanced Research in Medicines & Dental Care (IJERMDC),

ISSN: 2349-1590, Vol. 10 Issue 5, May2023, Impact Factor: 7.125

Medical Problems of Patients with Down

syndrome in Pandaravilai Village, Thoothukudi
District
Dr. T. Sakthika1, Ms. J. P. Kani Gaarthini2
1
Assistant Professor of Zoology, A. P. C. Mahalaxmi College for Women, Thoothukudi, Tamilnadu, India
2
I B. Tech, Plastic Technology, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology, Guindy, Chennai,
Tamilnadu, India

ABSTRACT

Pandaravilai village in Eral Taluk of Thoothukudi District has about 25 Down syndrome (DS) patients at the
age of 15-25. The Dowmsyndrome patients were directly analysed to study their health problems. More than
80% patients have health problems include untreated congenital heart anomalies, pulmonary hypertension,
recurrent respiratory infections leading to chronic pulmonary interstitial changes, adult-onset epilepsy,
osteoarthritic degeneration of the spine, acquired sensory deficits including loss of vision due to early onset of
adult cataracts, recurrent keratitis and significant hearing loss. Behavioural problems, pose ongoing challenges
for care. Further efforts are needed to diagnose and treat medical problems in people with DS and the village
should be recognized by the government and policy makers to support the life of the patients.

Keywords: Down syndrome, Pandaravilai, Village, Medical problems, Government recognition.

INTRODUCTION

In the world, 1 in 800 children are born with this syndrome. The total number of people affected globally is estimated at
around 40-50 million (Rahi, et al 2001). Down syndrome (DS) was first identified in 1866 by the English physician
John Langdon Down (Allt and Howell, 2003 and Kliegman, 2011). Until recently, most persons with DS died in early
adulthood of congenital heart defects, pneumonia, or other types of respiratory infections (Bittles, et al 2007). Better
treatments of these comorbidities have lengthened the lifespan of people with DS from the age of 25 years in the 1980s
to over 50 years today.

Down syndrome is characterized by low muscle tone, short stature, upward slanting eyes, a flattened nose, small ears
and a single crease across the palm of the hand. Health problems associated with the disorder include poor dentition,
celiac disease, and constipation (Kliegman, 2011).

DS is found in all races, nationalities, religions or socio-economic levels Bittels, et al 2007). The life expectancy and quality of
life for affected people have increased remarkably due to improved medical care, general awareness, as well as increased social
interactions (Tracy, 2011). The estimated life expectancy of persons with DS has increased from just 12 years in the 1940s to
an average of 55–60 years in the present decade, particularly in developed countries. It is essential to follow the health needs
of individuals with intellectual disabilities should be viewed from the perspective of current standards of care and
management.

Pandaravilai village in Srivaikundam Taluk of Thoothukudi District have about 25 Down syndrome patients at the age
of 15-25. They have no educational facilities and medical facilities. They are suffered by Congenital heart diseases,
Visual defects, Diabetes, Arthritis, Obesity, Epilepsy and Thyroid disorders. Fifty percent of Downsyndrome patients
have single parents. They are uneducated and aged with poor income as most of them are coolies. They suffer very
tediously to take care of their Down syndromic son or daughters. This study is to expose the patients to the eyes of
Government organizations for the wellbeing of the poorly suffered Down syndrome patients.

Aim of the Study:

 Survey of Downsyndrome patients in Pandaravilai Village,

 Analysis of Medical complications
 To address the issues to be recognized by the Government and policy makers.

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 International Journal of Enhanced Research in Medicines & Dental Care (IJERMDC),
ISSN: 2349-1590, Vol. 10 Issue 5, May2023, Impact Factor: 7.125

Study Area:
Pandaravilai village consists of Seven sub villages located in Srivaikundam Taluk of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
Pin Code: 628 751. This village and its surrounding areas have approximately 25 patients of Down syndrome.

AGE: 25. I.Arunkumar, S/O AGE:13 Varshini, D/O AGE: 21. K.Yogesh,
A.Iyan Pandi, Poochendu, 5/3 R.Deivandran, 4/1, S/O V.Kanthasami,
Thakkar Iyar Theru, Suyambulinga Swamikoil 1/2A, Pillaiyar Koil
Pandaravilai post, Pin Theru, Pandaravilai post, Theru, Pandaravilai
628751, Thoothukudi Dt. Pin 628751, Thoothukudi post, Pin 628751,
Dt. Thoothukudi Dt.

AGE: 20. L.Karthika selvi, AGE: 30. S.Banumathi,

AGE: 26. L.Umamageshwari, D/O.
D/O. L.Poochendu, 4/1, D/O. S.Parmmasakthi,
L.Poochendu, 4/1, Pillaiyar koil theru,
Pillaiyar koil theru, 10/17, Mannarayan
Pandaravilai post, Pin 628751, Thoothukudi
Pandaravilai post, Pin thattu, Melatheru,
Dt.
628751, Thoothukudi Dt. Pandaravilai post, Pin
628751, Thoothukudi
Dt.

Figure -1 Down syndrome patients in Pandaravilai

Figure 2-Location Map of Pandaravilai Village

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 International Journal of Enhanced Research in Medicines & Dental Care (IJERMDC),
ISSN: 2349-1590, Vol. 10 Issue 5, May2023, Impact Factor: 7.125

Table -1 Results of Health Care Checkup List for Down Syndrome Patient

Percentage
S.No Type of medical complications Number
1. Congenital heart diseases 20 80
2. Hearing loss 18 72
3. Visual impact (Cataract, Vision loss) 21 84
4. Thyroid 15 60
5. Stomach or bowel problems 18 72
6. Sleep issues 14 56
7. Skin 17 68
8. Dental anomalies 25 100
9. Behavior and mental health 25 100
10. Diabetes 20 80
11. Alzheimer’s type dementia 17 68
12. Depression 8 32
13. Psychological problems 16 64
14. Blocked nasal passages 5 20
15. Widely spaced big toes 25 100

DISCUSSION

In Pandaravilai village 50% of patients with Down syndrome suffers from hypotonia, excessive joint flexibility, an
increased risk for obesity, short limbs, and neurological and language development delays. Approximately 40-50% of
Down syndrome patients in pandaravilai village have congenital heart defects.

DS is a multisystem disorder that affects the individual physically, medically and psychologically. The physical
features (Tracy, 2011) include brachycephaly (disproportionately shorter or small head or skull shape), unusually round
face, short neck, low-set, small ears, flat nasal bridge, microgenia (an abnormally small chin), macroglossia (protruding
or oversized tongue) due to small oral cavity, small chin, almond shape to the eyes caused by an epicanthic fold of the
eyelid and oblique palpebral fissures.

In the study area all the patients with DS have complaint of spacing between teeth in the upper as well as the lower
jaws. The patients are moderately built and have mild degree of mental retardation. They have most of the common
dysmorphic features of Down syndrome like short palpebral fissures, epicanthic folds of the eyelid causing almond
shaped eyes, mongoloid slant, hypertelorism, depressed nasal bridge and bilateral clinodactyly. The patient also
presented with short neck and abnormally shaped ears, small hands and feet, deep crease in the palm of the hand, poor
muscle tone and with excessive space between large toe and second toe.

Neurologic dysfunction, including seizures, very dry skin, which may be a sign of hypothyroidism and other skin
problems are observed in 75% of observed patients with Down syndrome.

All the female patients in Pandaravilai village have irregular menstrual cycle. Menstrual problems are common and
frequently disruptive to both patients and caregivers. The prevalence of physical, psychological and sexual abuse is
greater in people with intellectual disabilities. Because of the inability of some patients with intellectual disabilities to
verbalize abuse, sexual abuse may be diagnosed only via physical or behavioral Symptoms. Preparation and education
beginning at approximately age 10 using visual aids would be helpful for them.

In all aspects of care, the health needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities should be viewed from the perspective
of current standards of care and management, while making adjustments to match their individual needs and medical
conditions. Most of these issues are now treatable, so people with Down syndrome also can lead healthy lives if they
offer medical support.

Pandaravilai village consists of seven sub villages located in SrivaikundamTaluk of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu,
Pin Code: 628 751. Pandaravilai village has about 25 Down syndrome patients at the age of 15-25. They are hardly
surviving with hearing and vision problems, heart diseases, respiratory problems, Ear infection, Sleep apnoea, risk of
leukaemia, musculoskeletal disorders and thyroid conditions.

They are guarded by poor, uneducated parents. Fifty percentages of them have single parents and most of them are
cooloies. If the Government and Policy makers help them to provide medical support and guidance their survival will
be peaceful.

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 International Journal of Enhanced Research in Medicines & Dental Care (IJERMDC),
ISSN: 2349-1590, Vol. 10 Issue 5, May2023, Impact Factor: 7.125

CONCLUSION

Many charity and voluntary organizations offer support, advice, information and financial help for children with Down
syndrome and their families. All these helps are presently availed only by the educated and town dwelling people. The
patients living in villages are exempted from all the facilities available to them. They should be identified to make use
of all of their needs for their better survival. This study will be an eye opening for the Down syndromic patients living
in the remote Pandaravilai village who are neglected by the welfare organizations due to ignorance of the uneducated
parents. Extra research in Pandaravilai village is necessary to find out the cause and to prevent additional birth of
Downsyndromes.

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