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Giving children with Down syndrome antioxidants and nutrients does not help their condition improve at all, according to a new study (British Medical Journal, March 15, 2008).
UK researchers studied the effect of giving such supplements to 156 babies under 7 months old with Down syndrome over an 18-month period.
Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of learning disability in the UK affecting around 1 in 1,000 newborn babies.
Previous studies have investigated the possibility that giving folate, antioxidants, or both might improve the effects of Down syndrome, particularly language and psychomotor development.
Although none have reported any significant effect, use of vitamin and mineral supplements is widespread in children with Down syndrome in Europe and the United States due to the marketing of commercial preparations claiming substantial benefits.
In this study, the babies, from several sites in England, were split into four groups. One group was given a daily dose of antioxidants, one folinic acid, one a combination of antioxidants and folinic acid, and one a placebo. All the supplements were given in a powder that could be mixed with food or drink.
After 18 months, the children remaining in the study were assessed for their mental and cognitive development.
Researchers found that giving the supplements made no difference to the biochemical outcomes in the children and did not improve their language or psychomotor development.
This study provides no evidence to support the use of antioxidant or folinic acid supplements in children with Down syndrome, the authors concluded. Parents who choose to give supplements to their children need to weigh their hope of unproved benefits against potential adverse effects from high dose, prolonged supplementation.
The full article is available online at: http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/february/Downs.pdf.
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