Down syndrome: Issues during infancy (age 1 month to 1 year)
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Down syndrome: Issues during infancy (age 1 month to 1 year)
If your baby is born with Down syndrome, you will likely have many questions and strong emotions. Your doctor can help answer your questions and guide you to appropriate resources to help you manage your feelings and plan for your child's long-term care needs.
Your doctor will likely address a variety of issues with you during your regularly scheduled appointments, such as:
- Growth and development. Children with Down syndrome grow and develop in the same way as other children but at a slower rate.
- Your support system. It is important to connect with other people who understand and have had similar experiences. Find out how to contact a support group or other families in your area with children who have Down syndrome if you have not done so already.
- How your family is adjusting. This is a good time to begin discussing long-term financial issues and guardianship for your child.
- What kinds of early intervention to pursue. An early-intervention program (for babies and children younger than 3 years) monitors and encourages the development of children with special needs.
- What precautions you can take to prevent colds and other respiratory infections. A narrow nose and air passages make children with Down syndrome prone to minor blockages from mucus during respiratory infections. A stuffy nose forces your child to breathe through the mouth, drying out the mucous membranes and increasing the chances of an upper respiratory infection. Also, discuss your child's immunizations. For more information, see the topic Immunizations.
If you have concerns about your chances of having another child with Down syndrome, talk with your doctor at this time. You may want to discuss how the condition may be diagnosed during pregnancy.
Credits
| Author | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | David Smith, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | August 9, 2007 |
| Last updated: | August 09, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, David Smith, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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