Search
Powered By HealthLine
Special Offers
Health Tools
 Heart Healthy Diet
 Ideal Body Weight Calculator
 Diet Reviews
 Fitness and Family
 Quiz: Test Your Fitness IQ
 Exercise and Fitness Guide
 Eat Out Smart
 Healthy Cooking
 BMI Calculator
Featured Conditions
 Diet & Exercise
 Stop Smoking
 Food & Fitness
 High Blood Pressure
 Cholesterol
 Heart
Resources
Healthscout News
3D Health Animations
Health Videos
Quizzes & Tools
Health Encyclopedia
In-Depth Reports
Library & Communities
News Archive
Drug Library
Find a Therapist
Enter City or Zip Code:
Powered by Psychology Today
PR Newswire
 Read latest







Channels
Home |  Today | Women| Men| Kids| Seniors| Diseases| Addictions| Sex & Relationships| Diet, Fitness, Looks| Alternative Medicine| Drug Checker
Medical Health Encyclopedia
 border=





Down syndrome

Alternative Names:
Trisomy 21

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for Down syndrome. Special education and training is offered in most communities for mentally handicapped children. Specific heart defects may require surgical correction. The potential for visual problems, hearing loss, and increased susceptibility to infection will require screening and treatment at appropriate intervals.



Support Groups:
Text Continues Below



National Down Syndrome Congress -- www.ndsccenter.org



Expectations (prognosis):

The normal life span is shortened in Down syndrome by congenital heart disease and by increased incidence of acute leukemia. Mental retardation is variable, and usually moderate. Some adults live independently and are accomplished individuals.



Complications:
  • Vision problems
  • Hearing loss
  • Cardiac abnormalities
  • Increased incidence of acute leukemia
  • Frequent ear infections and increased susceptibility to infection in general
  • Gastrointestinal obstruction (imperforate anus, and similar problems)
  • Esophageal atresia or duodenal atresia
  • Blocked airways during sleep (one third of patients)
  • Increased incidence of dementia in older patients
  • Instability of the back bones at the top of the neck, compression injury of the spinal cord

There is a risk that uninformed people may assume a Down syndrome child is more retarded than is the case.



Calling your health care provider:

A geneticist should be consulted to help determine the diagnosis and interpret rare chromosomal translocation cases of Down syndrome.

Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>

 







About The HealthScout Network Contact Us
Copyright © 2001-2009. The HealthCentralNetwork, Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy: Updated as of April 1, 2009  Terms of Service   Site Map
Advertising Policy