Is there any treatment for Down syndrome?
There is no treatment for Down syndrome itself, but there are conditions associated with Down syndrome that require treatment. Health conditions that affect some people with Down syndrome include heart defects, gastrointestinal tract deformities, thyroid disorders, hearing difficulties, and vision problems.
Can Down syndrome be treated with medication?
Many of the health problems that affect someone with Down syndrome can be managed with medication—typically the same medication that would be given to a person who doesn't have Down syndrome.
Is Down syndrome a disease?
Common Characteristics of Down Syndrome. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) isn't a disease or condition that can be managed or cured with medication or surgery. The goal of treatment, therefore, is not to address the disorder itself, but rather the variety of health issues, medical conditions, and physical, developmental, ...
What do kids with Down syndrome need?
Most kids with Down syndrome need therapies of various types. Some are focused on helping patients reach physical milestones at the same rate as those who don't have the disorder. Others are aimed at helping them become as independent as possible when they reach adulthood.
Can Down syndrome cause hearing loss?
Speech therapy: Children with Down syndrome often have small mouths and slightly enlarged tongues—features that can make it hard for them to speak clearly. These problems can be made worse in children with hypotonia because low muscle tone can affect the face. Hearing loss also can affect speech development.
What are the health problems associated with Down syndrome?
Health conditions that affect some people with Down syndrome include heart defects, gastrointestinal tract deformities, thyroid disorders, hearing difficulties, and vision problems. In addition, early intervention is recommended to address developmental delays and low muscle tone common in babies with Down syndrome.
Can Down syndrome be cured?
Yes, Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. It cannot be cured, but with support and therapies, many people with Down syndrome live happy and productive lives. 7.
How to help people with Down syndrome?
Participate in social and leisure activities. Take time for family outings and look in your community for social activities such as park district programs, sports teams or ballet classes. Although some adaptations may be required, children and adults with Down syndrome can enjoy social and leisure activities.
What to do when you learn your child has Down syndrome?
Coping and support. When you learn your child has Down syndrome, you may experience a range of emotions, including anger, fear, worry and sorrow. You may not know what to expect, and you may worry about your ability to care for a child with a disability. The best antidote for fear and worry is information and support.
Can you test for Down syndrome while pregnant?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends offering the option of screening tests and diagnostic tests for Down syndrome to all pregnant women, regardless of age. Screening tests can indicate the likelihood or chances that a mother is carrying a baby with Down syndrome. But these tests can't tell for sure or diagnose whether ...
What tests can be done to determine if a baby has Down syndrome?
Diagnostic tests can identify or diagnose whether your baby has Down syndrome. Your health care provider can discuss the types of tests, advantages and disadvantages, benefits and risks, and the meaning of your results. If appropriate, your provider may recommend that you talk to a genetics counselor.
Is screening for Down syndrome a part of prenatal care?
Screening for Down syndrome is offered as a routine part of prenatal care . Although screening tests can only identify your risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome, they can help you make decisions about more-specific diagnostic tests.
Is Down syndrome a routine test?
Screening for Down syndrome is offered as a routine part of prenatal care. Although screening tests can only identify your risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome, they can help you make decisions about more-specific diagnostic tests. Screening tests include the first trimester combined test and the integrated screening test.
Can you have a screening test for Down syndrome?
Although screening tests can only identify your risk of carrying a baby with Down syndrome, they can help you make decisions about more-specific diagnostic tests. Screening tests include the first trimester combined test and the integrated screening test.
Is there a cure for Down syndrome?
Since people who have Down syndrome have varying abilities, there is no one-cure-for-all treatment that can be applied to people with this condition. People with Down syndrome mostly have a team of medical professionals and specialists who all interact with, and help facilitate the treatment for these individuals.
How to help a person with Down syndrome?
There are different types of therapy methods that are used for patients with Down syndrome. Physical therapy is used to help Down syndrome patients learn motor skills. Speech therapy helps them learn how to use language effectively and to help them learn how to communicate. Emotional and behavioral therapy may also be used to help these individuals deal with unpleasant situations. Lastly, occupational therapy exists as a Down syndrome treatment method to help patients adjust to doing everyday tasks and help them realize their capabilities and physical capacity.
Can amino acids help with Down syndrome?
However, recent studies have shown that there is little effect of these supplements on the brains of Down syndrome patients. At the time of this writing, there is no medication that can cure Down syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Down syndrome?
Other medical problems. Your child may also have other less common issues that need treatment, such as: 1 Blockage in the intestine. Some babies with Down syndrome get Hirschsprung ’s disease, where part of the intestine gets blocked. This is treated with surgery that removes part of the intestine. 2 Infections. Babies with Down syndrome also have weaker immune systems, so they may get sick more often. There’s no treatment for this, but it means that getting vaccines on time is even more important. 3 Thyroid problems. The thyroid makes hormones your body need. In kids with Down syndrome, it sometimes doesn’t make enough. If that happens, your child will take medicine to help.
Do kids with Down syndrome go to school?
Many kids with Down syndrome go to their neighborhood schools along with all the other kids. This can be great not only for your child, but for the other children as well. Your child also has the right to get services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which starts at age 3.
Can Down syndrome cause hearing loss?
Many children with Down syndrome have hearing loss in one or both ears. Because of that, your child will likely have regular visits with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor to catch any issues early on. Sometimes hearing problems are caused by fluid build-up in the ears.
What is early intervention?
Early Intervention. Most states offer programs that provide a range of services for children up to 3 years old. These programs can boost your child’s physical and mental growth. They typically have therapists and teachers who are specially trained to help kids learn a variety of skills, such as how to:
Can adenoids cause sleep apnea?
Sometimes, larger-than-normal tonsils and adenoids cause sleep apnea. In this case, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove them. Leukemia. Children with Down syndrome are at a 10- to 20-fold increase for developing this blood cancer. But the risk is still at 2%.
What is the treatment for Down syndrome?
Treatment throughout the course of an individual’s life will involve regular medical check-ups, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupa tional therapy, nutritional needs and counselling. Regular medical check-ups are important for identifying, managing and monitoring an individual with Down syndrome’s overall health condition. ...
Is Down syndrome a fault?
The effort a parent puts in to better understand their child’s condition, the greater the chances of their success: Learn about what Down syndrome is and why it happens: For the most part, producing a child with Down syndrome is not anyone’s fault. Genetic material merely develops in a way that is beyond anyone’s control.
What is the purpose of a comprehensive treatment plan?
Once diagnosed and all relevant checks and tests have been conducted, a doctor will put together a comprehensive treatment plan to ensure that a child remains as healthy as possible as he or she grows. Different stages will require different phases of treatment and services.
Why is it important to have a regular eye checkup?
Regular check-ups are important from the time of birth, and throughout a person’s life. During the first year, eye problems in particular are common and will be carefully assessed during check-ups. Many with Down syndrome have a higher chance of developing certain health problems and serious medical conditions.
Why is speech therapy important?
During early stages, speech therapy and physical therapy are critical and can help to ensure that a baby / child develops sufficiently enough to better enhance their quality of life during adulthood. It will take time and patience from everyone involved, but a child will learn to master a variety of skills.
What are the symptoms of neck pain?
Any age: Symptoms of neck pain or limited movement, bone injury or dislocations, difficulties with walking, weakness in the limbs or changes in bladder and bowel control need to be assessed by a medical doctor as soon as possible.
What does it feel like to have a special needs child?
It may feel like there are a lot of dark corners, making it difficult to know what to do and what not to do.
What is Down syndrome assistance?
People with Down syndrome will likely need assistance throughout their lives. In addition to ongoing therapies, this could include help with education, employment and living independently. A variety of organizations offer resources to help educate and empower people living with Down syndrome and their families.
Can Down syndrome be prevented?
Down syndrome can’t be prevented, but parents can take steps that may reduce the risk. The older the mother, the higher the risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. Women can reduce the risk of Down syndrome by giving birth before age 35.
How many chromosomes are there in Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. Most babies are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes within each cell for a total of 46. A chromosome is a structure that contains genes, which are made up of your DNA. Genes determine how you form and develop growing in the womb and after birth.
What is the most common type of Down syndrome?
Trisomy 21: The term “trisomy” means having an extra copy of a chromosome. The most common type of Down syndrome, trisomy 21, occurs when a developing baby has three copies of chromosome 21 in every cell instead of the typical two copies. This type makes up 95% of the cases.
Why does Down syndrome occur?
Down syndrome occurs because of changes in the way cells in chromosome 21 divide. Every person with Down syndrome has an extra amount of this chromosome in some or all of their cells. In the most common type of Down syndrome, trisomy 21, the condition occurs randomly and isn’t inherited.
Is Down syndrome inherited?
In the most common type of Down syndrome, trisomy 21, the condition occurs randomly and isn’t inherited.
What is the test for Down syndrome?
At birth, providers look for the physical signs of Down syndrome. To confirm the diagnosis, a blood test called a karyotype is done. In this test, the a small sample of blood is taken and studied under a microscope to see if an extra amount of chromosome 21 is present.
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome describes a set of cognitive and physical symptoms that result from an extra copy or part of a copy of chromosome 21. Chromosomes carry the genes that tell the body to develop in certain ways and to perform certain functions. Most cells of the human body contain 23 pairs of chromosomes—one set of chromosomes from each parent— ...
Is Down syndrome a physical disability?
People with Down syndrome also have some distinct physical features, such as a flat-looking face, and they are at risk for a number of other health conditions. Understanding Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities is part of the reason the NICHD was established.
How many chromosomes are there in the human body?
Chromosomes carry the genes that tell the body to develop in certain ways and to perform certain functions. Most cells of the human body contain 23 pairs of chromosomes—one set of chromosomes from each parent— for a total of 46 chromosomes. People with Down syndrome have either a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, ...
How many chromosomes are there in Down syndrome?
People with Down syndrome have either a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21, for a total of 47 chromosomes. (The syndrome is sometimes called 47,XX,+21 or 47,XY,+21 to indicate the extra chromosome 21.) The extra chromosome disrupts the normal course of development and results in the physical features and intellectual ...
Is Down syndrome a cognitive disorder?
Cognitive impairment, problems with thinking and learning, is common in people with Down syndrome and usually ranges from mild to moderate. Only rarely is Down syndrome associated with severe cognitive impairment. 1
What happens when a cell divides in two?
Usually when one cell divides in two, pairs of chromosomes are split so that one of the pair goes to one cell, and the other from the pair goes to the other cell. In nondisjunction, something goes wrong and both chromosomes from one pair go into one cell and no chromosomes for that pair go into the other cell.
Where does the extra chromosome 21 come from?
In the majority of cases, the extra copy of chromosome 21 comes from the mother in the egg. In a small percentage (less than 5%) of cases, the extra copy of chromosome 21 comes from the father through the sperm. In the remaining cases, the error occurs after fertilization, as the embryo grows.
