Vita, SerenaDi Bari, VirginiaCorpolongo, AngelaGoletti, DeliaEspinosa, JoaquinPetracca, SebastianoPalmieri, FabrizioNicastri, Emanuele
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all areas of the globe and all humans are at risk of contracting the virus. However, individuals with Down syndrome have a combination of risk factors that can contribute to more severe cases of the infection. This report highlights the importance of understanding these risk factors and ultimately recommends the use of a vaccine for those with DS to decrease risk of infection.
Abstract
We report two cases of Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) in patients with Down Syndrome (DS) and describe the identification, diagnosis, clinical course and management of the infection. Down Syndrome, which is caused by trisomy 21, is characterized by immune dysregulation, anatomical differences in the upper respiratory tract and higher rate of comorbidities. All these risk factors can contribute to more severe clinical presentations of COVID-19 in this population. It is essential to raise awareness of the clinical relevance of SARS-COV-2 infection in DS patients, as well as in other most vulnerable patients, in order to improve their management and treatment and to encourage vaccinating these individuals early, once a vaccination is available.
Conditions
COVID-19, Infections, Pneumonia