"Will my child be healthy?" is a question that crosses the mind of every new mother and expectant parent. Many children with Down syndrome are born in good health, but newborns with Down syndrome are considered more susceptible to certain complications.
Health Conditions Associated with Down Syndrome
Newborns with Down syndrome are more likely to be affected by congenital heart defects, vision and hearing problems, respiratory disorders, intestinal blockages, childhood leukaemia, and other health conditions. They also have a greater susceptibility to infections. For this reason, doctors carry out regular check-ups looking for these conditions, as some of them — such as heart defects — may already be present even if no symptoms have appeared.
Although the list of potential health concerns may be worrying, it is important to remember that your child is not certain to develop any of them. And if they do have one or more of these complications, advances in medical science have made most of them treatable. One of the clearest examples of this is that the majority of heart defects can be corrected through surgery.
Focus on What Matters Now
There is a great deal of information available today about Down syndrome. It is best to focus on the essential information relevant to your child at this stage.
You Are Your Child's Greatest Advocates
You are your child's greatest advocates. We encourage you to organise and keep all of their medical records, and to follow the recommended healthcare guidelines for individuals with Down syndrome.
