Izvorni znanstveni članak
DIETARY SUPPLEMENT USE AMONG CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN CROATIA
Maja Ergović Ravančić
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega, Vukovarska 17, 34000 Požega, Croatia
Valentina Obradović
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega, Vukovarska 17, 34000 Požega, Croatia
*
Svjetlana Škrabal
; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Faculty of Tourism and Rural Development in Požega, Vukovarska 17, 34000 Požega, Croatia
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Caregivers of children with Down syndrome may use dietary supplements in response to perceived nutritional, developmental, or health-related needs, but patterns of use and physician consultation remain insufficiently described. This secondary analysis examined supplement-related responses from a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 2023 among parents and caregivers of 104 children with Down syndrome aged 6 months to 19 years in Croatia. Dietary supplement use was classified as current use, previous use, no previous use despite awareness, or no previous use or awareness. Associations with child sex, parental education, maternal employment, and household food expenditure were examined using exact statistical tests. Current supplement use was reported for 34 children (32.7%), while 22 (21.2%) had used supplements previously. Overall, 56 children (53.8%) had used supplements currently or in the past. Thirty-six children (34.6%) had never used supplements although their caregivers were aware of them, while 12 (11.5%) had never used them and their caregivers reported no previous awareness. Among 101 respondents with valid consultation data, 59 (58.4%) reported that they had consulted the child’s physician about supplement use. Neither supplement-use category nor physician consultation was significantly associated with the examined child and family characteristics. The findings indicate that caregiver-reported supplement use is common among children with Down syndrome and highlight the importance of identifying the exact products used and discussing them with health care professionals. Because the questionnaire did not record individual products, ingredients, doses, indications, or duration of use, the clinical appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety of supplementation could not be evaluated.
Ključne riječi
Down syndrome; dietary supplements; children; caregivers; physician consultation; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
353377
URI
Datum izdavanja:
2.11.2026.
Posjeta: 0 *