Therapy
There is no cure for Down syndrome. But a child with Down syndrome may need treatment for problems such as: Heart defects. About half of babies with Down syndrome have heart defects. Some defects are minor. These can be treated with medicines or they will fix themselves on their own. Others may need surgery.
What should I do if my child has Down syndrome?
Jun 22, 2012 · Children with Down syndrome are much more likely than other children to develop leukemia(pronounced loo-KEE-mee-uh), which is cancer of the white blood cells. Children with leukemia should receive appropriate cancer treatment, which may include chemotherapy. 5 Those with Down syndrome are also more likely to have anemia (low iron in the blood) and …
What are the most common health problems among children with Down syndrome?
Since children and adults with Down syndrome are already at increased risk of weight gain over their lifespan, the increased appetite leading to weight gain associated with atypical neuroleptic medications, can be destabilizing. Concurrent behavioral and nutritional interventions are therefore always essential.
Is there a cure for Down syndrome?
Monitoring and treatment is critical, as there is a high rate of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of ear infections in children with Down syndrome. HEARING LOSS In children, hearing loss can affect educational, language-related, and emotional development.
How does early intervention help children with Down syndrome?
Getting early medical care and treatment can improve the health of a child with Down syndrome. Your doctor will consider many factors when planning treatment, including your child's age, remaining years of growth, symptoms, and any physical disabilities caused by the orthopaedic problem. Nonsurgical Treatment
Why do kids with Down syndrome need physical therapy?
Improving Balance, Coordination, and Postural Control People need balance and coordination to support them while doing everyday activities. Physical therapists help children develop balance and coordination skills so they can hold their head properly, sit upright, or walk on uneven surfaces.Dec 9, 2021
What is a medical problem associated with Down syndrome?
Having Down syndrome also increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Other problems. Down syndrome may also be associated with other health conditions, including endocrine problems, dental problems, seizures, ear infections, and hearing and vision problems.Mar 8, 2018
Do children with Down syndrome need extra care?
Every baby born with Down syndrome is different. As your new baby grows, you'll need to pay special attention to his or her physical and intellectual development. Your baby also may have some health problems that require extra care. Not all babies born with Down syndrome have health problems.Dec 18, 2019
Do people with Down syndrome need treatment?
Down syndrome cannot be cured. Early treatment programs can help improve skills. They may include speech, physical, occupational, and/or educational therapy. With support and treatment, many people with Down syndrome live happy, productive lives.Mar 16, 2022
What are some of the difficulties that people taking care of children with Down's syndrome typically face?
Medical problems that happen more often with Down syndrome include:thyroid problems (usually hypothyroidism)stomach and intestinal problems, including celiac disease, reflux, and constipation.seizures.breathing problems, including sleep apnea and asthma.obesity.infections, including ear infections and pneumonia.More items...
How are children with Down syndrome treated?
Everyday TipsGive your child chores around the house. ... Have your child play with other kids who do and don't have Down syndrome.Keep your expectations high as your child tries and learns new things.Make time to play, read, have fun, and go out together.Support your child in doing day-to-day tasks on their own.May 31, 2021
Why do Down syndrome have slanted eyes?
Slanting and a fold of skin (epicanthal fold) are normal in people of Asian descent. Abnormal slanting of the eye may occur with some genetic disorders and syndromes. The most common of these is Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome often also have an epicanthal fold in the inner corner of the eye.May 24, 2021
How do you care for someone with Down syndrome?
7 Tips for Caring for a Child with Down SyndromeNever Stop Learning. One of the best things you can do is to research the chromosomal condition as much as you can. ... Have a Plan. ... Help Their Growth and Development. ... Join a Support Group. ... Let Your Child Be in Control (Sometimes) ... Have a Set Routine. ... Make Time for Self-Care.Jul 18, 2019
What is it like raising a child with Down syndrome?
It's common for parents of babies with Down syndrome to experience shock, sadness and fear over the unknowns of raising a child who has intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serious health problems can add to the panic; about half of all children born with Down syndrome have heart defects.Mar 18, 2019
Is Down syndrome treated with medication?
Medication Summary Drug therapy is not currently a component of the standard of care for Down syndrome. Medications are indicated only for symptomatic treatment of pain.May 18, 2020
What medications are available for Down syndrome?
Rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine, and donepezil have been used to treat Down syndrome associated dementia (DSAD)20. Donepezil has shown significant therapeutic efficacy in multiple reports.Feb 1, 2018
What is the mental age of a person with Down syndrome?
7 individuals with Down syndrome (mean mental age = 8.18 +/- 2.73 years; mean chronological age = 29.8 +/- 5.4 years) and a group of 9 typically developing children, matched for mental age, (mean mental age = 8.40 +/- 1.73 years; mean chronological age = 7.2 +/- 1.2 years) were given a version of Cooper and Shepherd's ...
Treatment Therapies
Drugs and Supplements
Assistive Devices
DS-Connect®: The Down Syndrome Registry
Specialist to consult
What Is Down Syndrome?
- A variety of therapies can be used in early intervention programs and throughout a person's life to promote the greatest possible development, independence, and productivity. Some of these therapies are listed below.5 1. Physical therapy includes activities and exercises that help build …
How Many Babies Are Born with Down Syndrome?
- Some people with Down syndrome take amino acid supplements or drugs that affect their brain activity. However, many of the recent clinical trials of these treatments were poorly controlled and revealed adverse effects from these treatments. Since then, newer psychoactive drugs that are much more specific have been developed. No controlled clinical studies of these medications fo…
Types of Down Syndrome
- More and more often, interventions for children with Down syndrome involve assistive devices—any type of material, equipment, tool, or technology that enhances learning or makes tasks easier to complete. Examples include amplification devices for hearing problems, bands that help with movement, special pencils to make writing easier, touchscreen computers, and co…
Causes and Risk Factors
- Parents and families of children with Down syndrome can connect with other families and people with Down syndrome from around the world to learn more and share information. The NICHD-led DS-Connect® is a safe and secure registry to help families and researchers identify similarities and differences in the symptoms and treatment of people with Down syndrome and guide futur…
Diagnosis
Screening Tests
- Down syndrome remains the most common chromosomal condition diagnosed in the United States. Each year, about 6,000 babies born in the United States have Down syndrome. This means that Down syndrome occurs in about 1 in every 700 babies.1
Diagnostic Tests
- There are three types of Down syndrome. People often can’t tell the difference between each type without looking at the chromosomes because the physical features and behaviors are similar. 1. Trisomy 21: About 95% of people with Down syndrome have Trisomy 21.2With this type of Down syndrome, each cell in the body has 3 separate copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual …
Other Health Problems
- The extra chromosome 21 leads to the physical features and developmental challenges that can occur among people with Down syndrome. Researchers know that Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromos...
- One factor that increases the risk for having a baby with Down syndrome is the mother’s age. Women who are 35 years or older when they become pregnant are more likely to have a preg…
- The extra chromosome 21 leads to the physical features and developmental challenges that can occur among people with Down syndrome. Researchers know that Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromos...
- One factor that increases the risk for having a baby with Down syndrome is the mother’s age. Women who are 35 years or older when they become pregnant are more likely to have a pregnancy affected b...
Treatments
- There are two basic types of tests available to detect Down syndrome during pregnancy: screening tests and diagnostic tests. A screening test can tell a woman and her healthcare provider whether her pregnancy has a lower or higher chance of having Down syndrome. Screening tests do not provide an absolute diagnosis, but they are safer for the mother and the …
Other Resources
- Screening tests often include a combination of a blood test, which measures the amount of various substances in the mother’s blood (e.g., MS-AFP, Triple Screen, Quad-screen), and an ultrasound, which creates a picture of the baby. During an ultrasound, one of the things the technician looks at is the fluid behind the baby’s neck. Extra fluid in this region could indicate a g…