Health Problems of Children with the Dandy-Walker Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction. The Dandy-Walker syndrome is a complex congenital defect of the central nervous system, to which many health problems are related. In order to prepare oneself better to look after the child with this defect and their family, it is crucial to get to know the sickness unit itself, as well as the consequences of the related long-term neurological disorders.
Aim. Presenting health problems of children with Dandy-Walker syndrome.
Material and Methods. The study involved 30 ill children living in Poland. With the consent of parents, the medical records were examined. Additionally, the children were examined by pediatricians who assessed their condition and together with a survey, they documented it in the medical examination questionnaire.
Results. 7 children in the examined group are not able to function independently and they have an unpredictable prognosis of life expectancy. Only 3 children require periodic specialist care. The rest of the patients are constantly treated by various specialists both ambulatory and in hospitals. All children require regular, constant rehabilitation. It was examined in which group, girls or boys, there are more health problems. Both groups of 13 boys and 17 girls had the same number of diagnoses minimum 1 and maximum 5. The Mann-Whitney U Test did not show any relations statistically significant (p = 0.83).
Conclusions. There is a large number of health problems indicating massive needs in care and hence, they require treatment by many specialists. Consequently, families of children with Dandy-Walker syndrome should be covered by active counselling on problems arising both from basic sickness unit and the coexistent ones. The family education should commence in the moment of diagnosis of the defect. (JNNN 2017;6(4):138–142)