Showing posts with label Down's syndrome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Down's syndrome. Show all posts

Down's syndrome - Health conditions

Health conditions-Down's syndrome




Some children with Down's syndrome have very few health problems as a result of their condition. Others will need extra medical care and attention.
Your child will usually need to be checked by a paediatrician more often than other children to help them stay in good health.
If you have any concerns about your child's health, talk to your GP, health visitor or paediatrician.

Heart conditions

Around half of children with Down's syndrome are born with a congenital heart defect.
The most common defect to affect children with Down's is a septal defect.
This is a hole inside one of the walls that separate the 4 chambers of the heart, often referred to as a "hole in the heart".
If your baby is diagnosed with Down's syndrome, their heart will be carefully checked to spot any problems as soon as possible. 
They may need surgery to repair the heart if a problem is found.

Gut problems

People with Down's syndrome are more likely to have some sort of problem with their digestive system.
Constipation, diarrhoea and indigestion are all more common.
More serious problems may include:
  • small bowel obstruction – which stops food passing from the stomach into the large bowel
  • coeliac disease – a condition where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten
  • reflux – bringing up milk during or shortly after feeding
  • imperforate anus – where a baby is born without an anal opening
  • Hirschsprung's disease – which causes poo to become stuck in the bowels

Hearing problems

People with Down's syndrome are more likely to have problems with their hearing. This is often temporary, but it can sometimes be permanent.
A build-up of fluid in the middle ear (glue ear) is a common cause of temporary hearing problems in children with Down's syndrome.
If your child has glue ear, they'll usually be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

Vision problems

People with Down's syndrome often need to wear glasses to correct their vision.

Thyroid problems

Around 1 in 10 people with Down's syndrome have problems with their thyroid gland.
This is responsible for controlling your metabolism, the rate at which your body uses up energy.
Most people with Down's syndrome who have a problem with their thyroid have hypothyroidism, which means their thyroid gland is underactive.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland can include:
  • lack of energy
  • weight gain
  • slow physical and mental reactions
Hypothyroidism is usually picked up by blood tests.
It can usually be treated with medication to replace the lack of thyroid hormone in the body.

Infections

People with Down's syndrome are more likely to develop infections, such as the lung infection pneumonia.
This is because the body's natural defence against infection (the immune system) has not developed properly.
As well as routine childhood vaccinations, your child may be offered extra vaccinations, such as the annual flu jab, to help protect them against infections.
If your child develops a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics will usually be prescribed to treat it.

Dementia

People with Down's syndrome tend to develop dementia at a younger age.
Possible signs of dementia include problems with short-term memory and understanding, confusion and disorientation.
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Down's syndrome - Living with

Living with-Down's syndrome




With help and support, most people with Down's syndrome are able to have healthy, active and more independent lives.

New parents

If you have recently found out your baby has Down's syndrome, you may be feeling a whole range of emotions, including fear, joy, sadness or confusion. There's no right or wrong way to react.
It's important to remember you're not alone in your situation. Thousands of people in the UK have Down's syndrome.
There are also lots of people who have experience of supporting and caring for people with Down's syndrome.
The Down's Syndrome Association helpline (0333 1212 300) can offer you advice and answer any questions you may have.
Lots of new parents find it reassuring to talk to other parents. The Down's Syndrome Associationcan also put you in touch with another family who have a child with Down's syndrome.
Read more information for new parents on the Down's Syndrome Association website.

Helping your child

There are various things you can do to help your child with their learning and development.
Things that may be useful include:
  • using play to help your child learn – for example, show them how to play with their toys, and use toys to encourage them to reach, grasp and move
  • naming and talking about things your child's looking at and is interested in
  • giving your child the opportunity to mix with other children
  • encouraging your child to be as independent as possible from an early age with things like feeding and dressing, getting ready for bed, brushing teeth and going to the toilet
  • playing games to teach new words – a home-visiting teacher or speech and language therapist can give you some ideas

Professional support

A number of different professionals experienced in supporting children with Down's syndrome will be able to help you and your child.
Ask your child's paediatrician, GP or health visitor about the services available in your area.
Services for children with Down's syndrome typically include:
  • speech and language therapy 
  • physiotherapy 
  • home teaching programmes
You'll be advised about things you can do at home to help your child learn and develop.
For more information and advice, read about children and young people's services and assessing your care needs.
You can also call the Down's Syndrome Association helpline on 0333 121 2300 for advice.

Regular health check-ups

Children and adults with Down's syndrome need regular check-ups to monitor their health.
These check-ups will usually be with a paediatrician at first. Your GP may do them as your child gets older.
The health check-ups may involve:
  • hearing and vision tests
  • measuring height and weight
  • blood tests to check for thyroid problems
  • checking for signs of heart problems
If your doctor has any concerns, they can refer you to a specialist.

School and your child

Lots of children with Down's syndrome are educated in mainstream nurseries or schools with support.
But individual needs vary, and some parents feel a special school will be most suitable for their child.
It might help to visit some mainstream and special schools in your local area. Talk to the staff about how they would meet your child's special educational needs.
You can also find out more about education on the Down's Syndrome Association website.

Teens with Down's syndrome

Until the age of 18, child health and social care services are responsible for the care of children with Down's syndrome.
From 18, it's usually the responsibility of adult services. Between the ages of 16 and 18, your child will start a "transition" to adult services.

Adults with Down's syndrome

Further education and employment

Lots of young adults with Down's syndrome pursue further education, and many go on to work.

Living independently

With help and support, lots of adults with Down's syndrome can lead an active and fairly independent life.
Although it may not be possible to live completely independently, some adults with Down's syndrome leave home and live in their own accommodation with support.
Adults with Down's syndrome often move into property owned and staffed by a housing association.
Staff can provide different levels of support depending on the person's particular needs.
If necessary, a social worker may be able to help with finding accommodation.
An occupational therapist can offer practical advice to help make independent living easier.

Relationships, sex and fertility

Lots of people with Down's syndrome have loving relationships, although they may need some support.
They'll need to learn what relationships mean and how they can have a happy, safe relationship.
Men and women with Down's syndrome tend to have lower fertility. This does not mean they cannot have children, but it does make it more difficult.
If one partner in a couple has Down's syndrome, there's around a 1 in 2 chance of each of their children having Down's syndrome, too.
The risk of miscarriage and premature birth is also higher in women with Down's syndrome.

Down's syndrome: Emily's story
Emily was born with Down's syndrome. Watch her mum talk about the health issues they faced when she was little, and Emily's life as a young adult.
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Down's syndrome - Causes

Causes-Down's syndrome




Down's syndrome is a genetic condition that happens as a result of an extra chromosome (chromosome 21).

Chromosomes explained

Our bodies are made up of cells that contain genes. Genes are grouped in thread-like structures called chromosomes.
These contain detailed genetic instructions for lots of different things, including:
  • how a baby's cells develop
  • their gender
  • their eye colour
Usually, cells contain 46 chromosomes: 23 from the mother and 23 from the father.
In people with Down's syndrome, all or some of the cells in their bodies contain 47 chromosomes instead, as there's an extra copy of chromosome 21.
In most cases, Down's syndrome is not inherited and it's just the result of a one-off genetic change in the sperm or egg.

What are the chances of having a baby with Down's syndrome?

With every pregnancy, there's a small chance of having a baby who has Down's syndrome.
Some people are more likely to have a child with Down's than others.
The main thing that increases the chance of having a baby with Down's syndrome is the mother's age.
For example, a woman who is:
  • 20 years old has a 1 in 1,500 chance
  • 30 years old has a 1 in 800 chance
  • 35 years old has 1 in 270 chance
  • 40 years old has a 1 in 100 chance
  • 45 years old has a 1 in 50 or greater chance
But babies with Down's syndrome are born to women of all ages.
Your chance of having a child with Down's syndrome is also increased if you previously had a child with Down's syndrome.
For most people, this chance is still small (around 1 in 100).
There's around a 1 in 2 chance of a child having Down's syndrome if one of his or her parents has the condition.
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Down's syndrome - Characteristics

Characteristics-Down's syndrome




All children born with Down's syndrome have some degree of learning disability and delayed development, but this varies widely between individual children.

Delayed development

Children with Down's syndrome may be slower to learn skills like sitting, standing, walking and talking. They'll develop these skills eventually, it just takes more time.
Some children with Down's syndrome may have more complex needs. For example, they may also be autistic or have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Children with Down's syndrome often need more support as they grow up, including extra help at school.

Physical characteristics

People with Down's syndrome have more in common with their families than with other people with Down's syndrome.
Just like the rest of the population, they'll inherit their families' characteristics.

Health conditions

Some conditions are more common in people with Down's syndrome.
These include heart conditions and problems with hearing and vision.
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Down's syndrome - Overview

Overview-Down's syndrome




Down's syndrome, also known as Down syndrome or trisomy 21, is a condition you're born with. Most people who have Down's syndrome lead healthy and fulfilled lives.

Characteristics of Down's syndrome

Everyone born with Down's syndrome will have some level of learning disability, but this will be different for each person.

Causes of Down's syndrome

Down's syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome in a baby's cells.
In most cases, this is not inherited – it's simply the result of a one-off genetic change in the sperm or egg.
There's a small chance of having a child with Down's syndrome with any pregnancy, but the likelihood increases with the age of the mother.
For example, a woman who's 20 has about a 1 in 1,500 chance of having a baby with Down's, while a woman who's 40 has a 1 in 100 chance.
There's no evidence that anything done before or during pregnancy increases or decreases the chance of having a child with Down's syndrome.

Living with Down's syndrome

There's support available to help children and adults with Down's syndrome lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
This includes:
  • access to good healthcare – including a range of different specialists
  • support for your child's development – this may include speech and language therapy and physiotherapy 
  • organisations like the Down's Syndrome Association, who provide information and support, and can also put you in touch with other families who have a child with Down's syndrome
Lots of people with Down's syndrome are able to go to mainstream schools, leave home, have relationships, work and lead largely independent lives.
Information:

Social care and support guide

If you:
  • need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
  • care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled, including family members
Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.

Health conditions associated with Down's syndrome

Some health conditions are more common in people with Down's syndrome, including:
  • heart conditions
  • hearing and vision problems
  • thyroid conditions
  • infections, such as pneumonia
Your child may be checked by a paediatrician more often to help them stay in good health.  
If you have any concerns about your child's health, talk to your GP, health visitor or paediatrician.

Screening for Down's syndrome

Sometimes parents find out their baby has Down's syndrome during pregnancy because of screening tests.
All pregnant women are offered screening tests for Down's syndrome.
Screening tests cannot tell you for certain if your baby has Down's syndrome, but they can tell you how likely it is.
If screening tests show there's a chance your baby has Down's syndrome, you can, if you wish, have further tests to find out for certain if your baby has the condition.
These include:
  • chorionic villus sampling (CVS) – a small sample of the placenta is tested, usually during weeks 11 to 14 of pregnancy
  • amniocentesis – a sample of amniotic fluid is tested, usually during weeks 15 to 20 of pregnancy
If these tests show that your baby has Down's syndrome, you and your baby's other parent will be offered counselling so you can talk about what this means.
You may also be offered an appointment to meet a doctor or other health professional who works with children with Down's syndrome.
They can tell you more about the condition and answer any questions you have.

More help and support

If you'd like more information about Down's syndrome, you can visit the Down's Syndrome Association or call their helpline on 0333 121 2300.

Information about your child

If your child has Down's syndrome, your clinical team will pass information about him or her on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS).
This service supports research to help clinicians and people with Down's syndrome. You can opt out of the register at any time.
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