Children With Down Syndrome Not Aided By Antioxidants

According to a recent article published on bmj,
antioxidants and nutrients do not help children with Down syndrome
develop.



Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is a disorder caused by the presence of an
extra 21st chromosome. It is associated with impairment of cognitive
ability and physical growth. It is the most prevalent genetic reason of
learning disability in the United Kingdom, occurring in about 1 in
every 1,000 new born babies.



Researcher Jim Ellis and colleagues were motivated by earlier studies
that have suggested
possible improvements in language and psychomotor development if
children are given folate (a form of vitamin B9), antioxidants, or
both. Children
with the condition in Europe and the United States have been consuming
vitamin and mineral supplements because of the positive results
claimed by marketers of such products. However, there has not been any
reported significant effect on development for children with Down
syndrome.



The study was performed by UK researchers who gave supplements to 156
babies - all less then 7 months in age - who had Down syndrome. The
studied lasted for 18 months. The babies, selected from several sites
in England, were divided into four groups. One group received
antioxidants once per day, one group received folinic acid (a folate),
one received both antioxidants and folinic acid, and one control group
took a placebo. The supplements were given in powdered form and mixed
with food or drink.



The study participants were evaluated for mental and cognitive
development after 18 months. Findings include:


No differences were noted among the groups in the
biochemical outcomes
There was no improvement in language or psychomotor
development among the supplement groups

The authors conclude that there is no evidence that antioxidants or
folinic acid help development in children with Down syndrome. They
caution that parents who are giving these supplements to children
should be aware of the possible damaging consequences of long-term,
high dose administration.



An accompanying editorial by Tim Reynolds concurs with these general
findings. He also notes that it is not prudent to recommend expensive
vitamin supplements until some positive benefit is shown.



Supplementation with antioxidants and folinic acid for
children with Down's syndrome: randomized controlled trial

Jill M Ellis Hooi Kuan Tan, Ruth E Gilbert, David P R
Muller, William Henley, Robert Moy, Rachel
Pumphrey, Cornelius Ani, Sarah
Davies, Vanessa Edwards, Heather
Green, Alison Salt, Stuart Logan,

BMJ. February 22, 2008.

doi:10.1136/bmj.39465.544028.AE



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Written by: Peter M Crosta