Down syndrome: Issues from birth to 1 month of age
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Down syndrome: Issues from birth to 1 month of age
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 newborn's appointments, such as:
- Feelings that you have about your child's facial appearance and body weakness.
- How to tell other family members and friends about your child's condition.
- Where to get more information about Down syndrome. The more you know and understand about the condition, the better you can care for and support your child. For information about online resources and organizations, see the Other Places to Get Help section of the topic Down Syndrome.
- How to build a good support system. Discuss the support you have in family and friends. Other families in your area that have children who have Down syndrome also can provide support and encouragement.
- Healthy ways to cope with this lifelong condition.
- 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 the immunizations that your child will need.
- Getting your child in an early-intervention program, if one is available in your area. An early-intervention program (for babies and children younger than 3 years) monitors and encourages development.
- Other treatments for Down syndrome that you may have heard about. There are several controversial treatments that have not been proven to work or that are of questionable benefit. Talk with your doctor before trying a treatment that your doctor has not specifically recommended.
If you have more concerns about your chance 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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