Health-related quality of life of a child with Trisomy 21 and Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) is a genetic condition arising from the presence of three chromosomes at position 21. Individuals diagnosed with this syndrome have a greater likelihood of developing systemic problems, as well as cognitive, developmental, and psychiatric disorders. This paper reports a case of a child with Down syndrome under treatment for acute myeloid leukemia, emphasizing its impact on quality of life. The mother’ perception on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measuredby the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Generic Core and Cancer Module Scales. The mother’s perception shown that physical and functional functioning indicated a higher negative impact on the child’s life. The lowest scores were in the domains nausea and anxiety about the procedure. Intraoral examination revealed an incomplete primary dentition with ectopic eruption. The child has had a multidisciplinary health care approach (pediatrician, hematologist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, physiotherapist and dentist). Therefore, it is essential that health professionals, including dentists, to incorporateinto their practice the knowledge on the difficulties and emotional aspects of this population, providinga patient-centered humanized care.