Impaired peripheral somatosensory function in children with Down syndrome

Sensory neurography of the median nerve was performed bilaterally in 6 children with Down syndrome (DS) aged 11-16 years and in 10 healthy controls of similar age. The sensory nerve conduction velocities from the thumbs and 3rd fingers were recorded and were significantly subnormal in the DS group. Sensory nerve action potentials were also lower in the DS children and the difference was particularly evident following stimuli of the thumbs. Using scalp electrodes sensory evoked potential latencies were recorded in five of the DS children and all controls. There was no obvious difference between the subjects with DS and the controls. It is suggested that an impaired peripheral somatosensory function should be added to previously known symptoms constituting DS. The results may contribute to previous findings of a poor performance of DS children in tests of tactual perception.