Initial studies on vitamin therapy in people with
Down syndrome began in 1959 with the development
of the "U" series of vitamins by Dr.
Henry Turkel. Over the years, many more studies
have been done. Dr. Len Leshin, an American pediatrician
in an editorial updated November 14th, 1997, reviewed
numerous studies from 1978 to 1991 on vitamin
supplements. No clear scientific evidence of effectiveness
has come forward from these studies. Dr. Mary
Coleman reviewed 9 studies conducted between 1964
and 1989 that indicated the same lack of scientific
evidence of effectiveness. "No study that
adhered to even minimal scientific methods documented
any definite improvement or even suggestive trends
in intelligence, speech or language, neuromotor
function, height or health" and in the "Bidder
et al (1989) study on Children with Down Syndrome,
the study documented a decrease
in the developmental progress while on
multivitamins and multi minerals."
Cornelius Ani, et. al.,(2000) wrote a very interesting
article detailing the theoretical basis for using
different vitamin supplements, and reviewed the
studies done with supplements. Their focus is
oxidative stress and supplementation with antioxidants.
They conclude "…we believe that to
date there has been no consistent or rigorous
proof that any form of nutritional supplementation
improves the outcome in Down syndrome. There is,
therefore, an urgent need for a well conducted
clinical trial to evaluate the hypothesis that
antioxidant supplementation may improve the outcome
in Down syndrome." It is important to point
out in reading this article, that there are hundreds
of proteins coded for by chromosome 21. Though
there is abnormal activity of superoxide dismutase,
much is still unknown about what other proteins
are produced at abnormal levels and how these
proteins interact.
In 2002, Michael Salman did a systematic review
of the randomized controlled studies of supplements
and drugs in people with Down syndrome. He found
"no positive evidence that any combination
of drugs, vitamins and minerals enhance either
cognitive function or psychomotor development
in people with Down syndrome".
Having reviewed the research on nutritional intervention,
we cannot promote or support their use because
there is no credible scientific evidence of their
real effectiveness. Many families are experiencing
very heartening courses of their young children
with Down syndrome in present times. This is true
whether or not they are on special supplements.
Again, we are not seeing two different populations
becoming identified, based on the medications.
Early intervention, thoughtful educational programming,
good health care, and optimistic expectations,
remain the core of best supports.
Weathers, C. Effects of Nutritional Supplementation
on IQ and Certain Other Variables Associated with
Down Syndrome. Am. J. Mental Deficiency 88 (2),
214-217, 1983.
Bennett, F. Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation
in Down('s) Syndrome. Pediatrics 72 (5), 707-713,
November, 1983.
Smith, G. F. Use of Megadoses of Vitamins with
Minerals in Down Syndrome. J. Pediatrics 105 (2),
228-234, August, 1984.
Coleman, M. Editorial: Vitamins and Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome Quarterly, 2(2), 1997.
Ani C, Grantham-Mcgregor S, Muller D. Nutritional
Supplementation in Down Syndrome: Theoretical
Considerations and Current Status. Dev Med Child
Neurol 2000 Mar;42(3):207-13.
Salman M. Systematic Review of the Effect of Therapeutic
Supplements and Drugs on Cognitive Function in
Subjects with Down Syndrome. Eur J Paediatr Neurol
2002:6(4):213-9.
Please quote fully and reference the National
Down Syndrome Congress.
Adopted by Board of Directors, May 10, 2004.
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