Background: Down syndrome (DS) is by far the most common chromosomal abnormality, manifested clinically with distinctive dysmorphism, functional and anatomical defects compromising multiple body systems with greater impact on respiratory system. Objective: This review aim to review and summarize reported lower respiratory conditions that exceeded the general population prevalence and their clinical outcomes in DS.
Methods: The databases were searched for articles published on 2 databases [PubMed and Google scholar] and Boolean operators (and, or, not) had been used such as [Down syndrome, trismomy21, respiratory, pulmonary] and in peer-reviewed articles between January 2005 and June 2022.
Conclusion: The spectrum of lower respiratory conditions in Down syndrome is wide. Multiple conditions confirmed to be higher in individuals with DS compared to normal population. In this article we reviewed the prevalence and outcomes of lower respiratory infections, recurrent wheezing, airways anomalies, pulmonary artery hypertension (PHN), Morgagni hernia and subpleural cysts. The rarity and the non-specific clinical presentation of some conditions lead to delayed diagnosis and intervention, warranting a need for awareness efforts targeting general practitioners and general pediatricians.