Kidney health in Down syndrome: An overlooked risk revealed by a nationwide study
When we think about Down syndrome, heart issues-and learning challenges often steal the spotlight, and we often think, maybe it is because of our genes, or environmental influences, but kidneys quietly play a huge role in day-to-day health too. A major Danish study called “Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in individuals with Down syndrome: A nationwide cohort study” shines a light on this overlooked connection, showing people with Down syndrome face kidney risks far beyond what’s typical.
Behind the big study
Freja Leonore Uhd Weldingh and her team from Aarhus University Hospital, along with experts like Morten Krogh Herlin, Ellen Hollands Steffensen, Uffe Heide-Jørgensen, Ida Vogel, Christian Fynbo Christiansen–and the Danish Central Cytogenetics Registry Study Group, dug into national health records.They followed 2,815 people with confirmed Down syndrome, born between 1961 and 2021, checking their blood creatinine levels from the 1990s right up to 2024. To keep things fair–they compared them to 28,150 people of the same age and sex without Down syndrome, using tried-and-true Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes rules to spot acute kidney injury, or AKI–and chronic kidney disease, or CKD.
The numbers that hit home
Imagine this: by age 20, nearly 29 out of 100 people with Down syndrome had already experienced AKI, compared to just 1 or 2 in the same number without it. Fast forward to 40, and it’s about 33 percent versus 5 percent; by 70, half had AKI while under a quarter of others did.CKD tells a similar story, starting at 1 percent versus almost none at 20, climbing to nearly 4 percent against less than half a percent at 40, and hitting 23 percent versus 14 percent by 70. Even when they set aside cases tied to common heart defects, the pattern held strong, hinting at something deeper in Down syndrome biology.
How kidneys affect real life: Implications
Your kidneys work nonstop, filtering waste, keeping fluids in check, and steadying blood pressure, so when they falter–you feel it everywhere, from tired afternoons to swollen ankles or extra strain on the heart.Kids and adults with Down syndrome often start with smaller kidneys or urinary tract quirks that make them prone to infections or backups, quietly building damage over years. That extra chromosome 21 seems to make kidneys extra touchy to stress–spiking creatinine levels faster during illness or meds. Throw in higher chances of obesity or breathing pauses at night–and it’s no wonder kidneys bear a heavier load.
Simple ways to protect kidneys
Doctors now say weave in blood tests for creatinine as early as young adulthood, right alongside those regular Down syndrome checkups. Keep an eye out for sneaky signs like ongoing fatigue, foamy urine, or puffiness around the eyes–and jump on infections or dry spells quick.Everyday habits make a difference too, sipping water steadily, choosing fresh foods over salty snacks, and moving a bit each day, whether it’s a gentle walk or playtime. Checking blood pressure regularly helps catch creeps upward that speed things along.
A call for better and safer future
Fresh off the press in the 2025 Clinical Kidney Journal, this study nudges doctors everywhere to rethink follow-ups–potentially staving off dialysis or worse for years. With Down syndrome touching about 1 in 700 newborns, spotting kidney trouble early could mean more vibrant, active years focused on what matters– like family joys and personal wins.
