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Complications of Down's syndrome
Certain conditions are more common in people with Down’s Syndrome. Most of these are usually mild and easy to treat. The more severe conditions only affect about 1 in 100 children with Down syndrome.
Heart problems : 40-50% of children with Down’s Syndrome have heart problems such as a heart defect, murmur or hole in the heart. Many of these children will need surgery.
Upper respiratory tract infections: these are infections that affect the ear nose and throat and include coughs, colds, middle ear infections and chest infections. Your child should always be examined by your GP to see if the infection is bacterial or viral.
Dry skin, obesity, diabetes.
Lower immune system: this means people with Down's Syndrome are prone to catching infections.
Eye problems: these can include a squint, nystagmus (where the eyes move to and fro rapidly because the brain does not control the movement of muscles around the eyeball), cataracts (clouding of the eye lens) and keratoconus (when the cornea becomes more conical in shape).
Teeth problems: children with Down’s Syndrome keep their milk teeth longer and get their adult teeth later. Parents should take extra care to avoid sugary foods and drinks, and consider giving extra fluoride to protect teeth.
Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland): Congenital hypothyroidism (you are born with an under-active thyroid gland) this affects about 1 in 150 children with Down’s Syndrome and may go unnoticed at first. Acquired (you develop an under-active thyroid gland) hypothyroidism this affects 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 10 children. Hypothyroidism needs to be detected and treated (with hormones) as soon as possible, because it can result in serious and permanent intellectual problems.
Intestinal problems: 10-15% of children with Down’s Syndrome have duodenal atresia, when narrowing of the small intestine causes vomiting because food cannot travel into the intestine from the stomach.
Hirschsprung disease: the lack of nerves in the rectum can cause constipation in babies and infants, but this can be treated.· Leukaemia is more common later in life (1 in 100).
Klinefelter syndrome: 1 in 100 boys with Down’s Syndrome have an extra X chromosome in addition to the extra number 21 chromosome. They will have smaller than average testicles, will not go through the normal changes during adolescence and will be infertile. This syndrome can be treated with male hormones.
