Down syndrome (DS) is a systemic disorder affecting the whole body
including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; from the oral cavity and ending with the anal
canal that are involved in the food digestion absorption and excretion. These disorders
could be anatomical or functional. About 10% of children born with DS have one or
more forms of the structural abnormalities which may include tracheoesophageal
fistula, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, small bowel obstruction, annular pancreas,
and anal anomalies. Functional gastrointestinal disturbances include oral, esophageal,
gastric and/or intestinal motility dysfunctions leading to feeding difficulties, prolonged
feeding duration, dysphagia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, increased risk of
aspiration, delayed gastric emptying, constipation, Hirschprung's disease and
malnutrition with its effects on general health and physical compromise. These
functional disturbances may be difficult to treat and may, in sequence, affect the
prognosis of corrective surgeries, and hence need more cautions.
