Health & Baby
Understanding Down Syndrome -- Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of Down Syndrome?
Children with Down syndrome are often identified at birth as a result of the physical characteristics associated with the syndrome. Some children exhibit only a few characteristics; others exhibit many. Because some of these features are also seen in people without Down syndrome, genetic testing must be done to confirm the diagnosis. The most common features associated with Down syndrome include:
- Low muscle tone (babies appear "floppy")
- Flat facial features, with a small nose
- Upward slant to the eyes
- Small skin folds on the inner corner of the eyes
- Small, abnormally shaped ears
- Single deep crease across the center of the palm
- Hyperflexibility (excessive ability to extend joints)
- Fifth finger has only one flexion furrow instead of two
- Extra space between the big toe and the second toe
- Enlarged tongue that tends to stick out
Baby Development: Your 9-Month-Old
Three-quarters of the way through your baby’s first year and there is hardly a trace of that tiny bundle you brought home from the hospital just nine months ago. Now your baby is a mobile, vocal, and very enterprising adventurer. In this portion of WebMD’s month-by-month guide, you’ll discover what baby milestones you can expect your child to achieve when she’s 9 months old.
Read the Baby Development: Your 9-Month-Old article > >
Other Health Problems Associated With Down Syndrome
As many as 50% of the children with Down syndrome are also born with heart defects. Some of these defects are major, and the child will experience heart failure shortly after birth. However, not all heart defects are immediately apparent. For this reason, all infants with Down syndrome should have an echocardiogram within the first few months of life to check for heart problems. The minor defects may be manageable with medications while the major ones may require surgery.
People with Down syndrome also have more hormonal problems than the general population. About 10% of babies born with Down syndrome and as many as 50% of adults with Down syndrome have thyroid disease. The most common thyroid condition is hypothyroidism, slowing of the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can be easily treated with medication.
More than half the children born with Down syndrome also have visual problems such as crossed eyes, nearsightedness or farsightedness, or cataracts. In many cases, these problems can be treated with glasses or surgery. Hearing impairment is also very common. Children with Down syndrome should have regular vision and hearing tests so any such problems can be treated before they interfere with language development.
Individuals with Down syndrome have a 15-20 times greater risk of developing leukemia (although it is still uncommon). It generally begins in the first three years of life and there is a high cure rate. A temporary form of leukemia is also seen in the newborn period that resolves spontaneously within the first two to three months of life.
Approximately 10%-12% of babies born with Down syndrome also have abnormalities in the gastrointestinal tract that require surgery for correction.
Approximately 25% of adults over the age of 35 with Down syndrome will show signs of Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia. In the general population, Alzheimer's disease usually does not develop before age 50, and only 5%-10% of adults over 65 develop symptoms.
Call Your Doctor About Down Syndrome If:
You are pregnant or planning pregnancy and you or your partner has a family history of Down syndrome.
WebMD Medical Reference
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