Assessment of the quality of sitting and gait patterns in children with Down's syndrome.

Clinical work with children with Down's syndrome resulted in a suggestion of a relationship between the external rotation and abduction of their hips, their excessive hip mobility in sitting, and their wide-based gait. This relationship was examined using data from 104 questionnaires completed by the parents of children with Down's syndrome. The clinical and demographic findings consistently documented the unusual sitting patterns of these children. How children were placed in the sitting position significantly influenced subsequent come-to-sit patterns but did not appear to influence subsequent walking patterns. Longitudinal studies of sitting patterns, hip mobility and gait are recommended. Therapeutic implications are that body rotation should be incorporated into motor intervention programs for children with Down's syndrome.