Plantar pressure distribution evaluation in children with down syndrome between 2 and 5 years

Abstract

Introduction: Some peculiar features of Down Syndrome (DS), such as ligament laxity, hypotonia, delay in gait acquisition, among others, may generate alterations in the distribution of plantar pressures, modifying plantar support. Objective: To verify if there are differences in the evaluation of the distribution of plantar pressures in standing posture between the measurement instruments (Baropodometer, SAPO, and Radiography). Methods: A cross-sectional study evaluating ten children with SD and ten children with normal development (ND), aged between two and five years. Biophotogrammetry, baropodometry and, foot radiography were used to assess the distribution of plantar pressures. Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the agreement index between the different instruments. Results: Children with DS and ND had a higher prevalence of feet pronated in all three instruments, with poor to substantial agreement among the instruments. Conclusion: There was a greater prevalence of pronated feet in the two groups according to the instruments of this study. Differences in the evaluation of the distribution of plantar pressures in the standing posture between the Baropôdometro, SAPO, and radiography were observed, and these instruments should be used in a complementary manner since they propose to evaluate different aspects of the alignment of the feet.