Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An anthropometric study of body size in Down syndrome

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
The Indian Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Thirty anthropometric measurements were recorded in 59 cases of Down syndrome. The most affected segments of the body were length and circumference of the head. The head form in Down syndrome varied from brachycephaly to hyperbrachycephaly, and a flat occiput. Down syndrome cases were notably shorter in stature, however, trunk height was only slightly reduced. Legs were more severely affected. Shortness of stature was due to failure of the legs to grow in normal fashion. Dimensions of face lagged in both height and width. The Down syndrome cases retained their round facies. Ears were small in size. This represents persistence of infantile body proportions. Weight was only slightly reduced.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hertzner HTE: The conference on standardization of anthropometric techniques and terminology. Am J Phys Anthropol NS 28: 1, 1868

    Google Scholar 

  2. Talbot FB: Studies in growth III. Growth of untreated mongohan idiots. Amer J Dis Child 27: 152, 1924

    Google Scholar 

  3. Brousseau K: Mongolism—A study of the physical and mental and characteristics of Mongolian imbeciles. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. 1928

    Google Scholar 

  4. Benda CE: Observations on the malformation of the head in mongoloid deficiency. J Pediatr 19: 800, 1941

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Benda cE: Mongolism and cretinism. Grune and Stratton. New York, 1949

    Google Scholar 

  6. Oster J: Mongolism. Danish Science Press Ltd, Copenhagen, 1953

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dutton G.: The physical development of mongols. Arch Dis Child 34:46, 1959

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Gulley WJ, Jolly DH, Mertz ET: Heights and weights of mentally retarded children. Am J Ment Defic 68: 203, 1963

    Google Scholar 

  9. Thelander HE, Pryor HB: Abnormal patterns of growth and development in mongolism. Clin Pediatr 5: 493, 1966

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Engler M. Mongolism. John Wright and Son Ltd. Bristol and London. 1949

    Google Scholar 

  11. Roche AF, Seward FS, Sunderland S.: Growth changes in the mongoloid head. Acta Paediatr50: 133, 1961

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Anthropological Survey of India, 793001, North-Eastern Region, Shillong

    Sushma Jaswal M.Sc., Ph.D. & I. J. S. Jaswal M. Sc., Ph D.

Authors
  1. Sushma Jaswal M.Sc., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. J. S. Jaswal M. Sc., Ph D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jaswal, S., Jaswal, I.J.S. An anthropometric study of body size in Down syndrome. Indian J Pediatr 48, 81–84 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02895195

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02895195

Key words

Search

Navigation