Body Temperature In Down Syndrome Children With Congenital Heart Disease

Evaluation of body temperature in a day period in Down syndrome children with congenital heart disease and comparison of results with control group. Fifty-one Down syndrome children with congenital heart diseases who were hospitalized and followed up in pediatric cardiology clinic because of various non-infectious etiologies between September 2010 and August 2011 were included in the study. The two control groups were selected from 26 non-Down children who had and had not congenital heart disease respectively. Sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and procalsitonine levels, white blood cell and platelet counts were determined in all groups during hospitalization. Humoral and cellular immune systems were evaluated in Down syndrome patients with recurrent and/or nonexplained upper and lower airway infectious. Body temperature was determined in all patients twice a day in morning, noon, evening and night. No statistical differences was detected between the groups according to sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and procalsitonine levels, white blood cell and platelet counts. Isolated ventricular septal defect is the most common detected congenital heart disease in Down syndrome patients. Body temperature measurements were statistically different in Down syndrome group than two control groups and it was detected that basal body temperature was higher during the day. Body temperature is higher in Down syndrome children with congenital heart disease during the day. This is because of the defect in hypothalamic temperature regulator center rather than the hemodynamic defect. For this reason the limit temperature of fever in Down syndrome patients should be different than healthy children.