Motor development in children with Down syndrome and associated osteoarticular pathology

Summary In the population of children with Down Syndrome (DS), some motor patterns used more frequently can be found. The characteristics of the child with DS, such as hypotonia, joint instability, shortness of the limbs related to the length of the trunk and his neuropsychological alterations, have made him repeat motor patterns which are functional but not the most adequate. Despite the fact that these patterns are not limited exclusively to the children with DS and may be found in the normal development of other children, its repetition can sometimes produce alterations in the muscle-skeletal system. Precocious Physiotherapy helps the prevention and treatment of the possible muscle-skeletal pathology and stimulates a proper psychomotor development of the child with DS.