- DEFINITION
- Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that usually results in mental retardation, a characteristic facial appearance and other physical abnormalities.
Down Syndrome can be caused by several different chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomes are the structures that contain genes or DNA and humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes (one pair that initially came from the female parent and one pair that initially came from the male parent). About 95% of people with Down Syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome number 21. Newborns with Down Syndrome are usually placid, cry rarely, have low muscle tone and may have extra skin around their neck. Other physical characteristics of Down Syndrome include an upward and outward slant of the eyes; flattened and low-set ears; a flatness of the face and short arms and legs. Some children with Down Syndrome are born with heart abnormalities and all people with this condition are at an increased risk of developing thyroid, hearing and visual problems. In addition, there is an accelerated ageing process in people with Down Syndrome that is a result of a reduced ability to repair damage to cells and DNA. Down Syndrome children develop slowly, both mentally and physically, compared to other children. For example, they may learn to crawl and walk later. However, although they are often limited in terms of intelligence, they can develop a wide range of skills and knowledge.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted to diagnose and treat this condition. Down Syndrome is usually detected during the first trimester of pregnancy by standard prenatal health checks. The tests used to determine if a foetus has Down Syndrome include ultrasound and blood tests. If Down Syndrome is detected, the parents must make a decision whether or not they want to continue with the pregnancy. This can be an extremely difficult decision for many parents and counselling can often help make the decision easier. Breastfeeding a Down Syndrome baby can be an important step in the care of the infant. This is because babies with Down Syndrome have poor muscle tone and the actions involved in suckling can improve muscle tone in the mouth, lips and tongue. Positioning the baby with its throat and back of the neck higher than the nipple can help to prevent gulping and choking, which is a problem for many babies with Down Syndrome. Babies with Down Syndrome usually take longer to accept solid foods and if this is the case, it may be helpful for the child to undergo pre-speech therapy to provide extra tone and control over the muscles that produce speech.
PHARMACIST'S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice 1) Follow the diet hints to help ensure nutritional requirements are met. 2) Ask your Pharmacist about regular cholesterol and blood sugar tests. 3) Encourage the Down Syndrome child to brush his/her teeth regularly. People with Down Syndrome tend to have a higher incidence of dental cavities. Ask the Pharmacist about a suitable toothbrush. 4) Nutritional supplements, particularly antioxidants, may be of benefit to help reduce the severity of the symptoms associated with Down Syndrome.
DIET HINTS
Always follow the dietary advice provided by your health care professional. - People with Down Syndrome are at a greater risk of becoming obese because of their relatively slow metabolic rate. This means that a healthy, calorie-controlled diet is necessary for people with Down Syndrome. Please see the Healthy Eating Diet on the Healthpoint for further information. - People with Down Syndrome tend to be less physically active than other people, so exercise should be encouraged for its health benefits. - People with Down Syndrome are at much greater risk of having coeliac disease (i.e. an allergy to gluten) and if this is the case, a special diet is required. See the Coeliac Disease Diet topic on the Healthpoint for further information.
VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS
Always consult your Doctor before taking any vitamins, minerals or herbs for advice on any possible side effects or drug interactions. - Vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin, may help reduce the amount of damage caused by toxic substances called free radicals, as these substances are present at greater levels in people with Down Syndrome. - Folic Acid supplements may help reduce the production of toxic, metabolic by-products in Down Syndrome. - A multivitamin/mineral supplement may be necessary if dietary intake is inadequate.
NOTES
The risks of having a child with Down Syndrome of the trisomy 21 type are increased in older mothers. Over 20% of children with this condition are born to mothers over the age of 35 years.
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