Heart problems associated with Down syndrome
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Heart problems associated with Down syndrome
About half of babies born with Down syndrome have some type of heart defect.1 Signs of heart problems may include poor eating and lack of growth, rapid breathing, and a bluish color to the lips, fingernails, and skin.
The most common heart defects in people with Down syndrome include:
- Atrial septal defect.
- Ventricular septal defect.
- Atrioventricular septal defect.
- Persistent patent ductus arteriosus.
- Tetralogy of Fallot.
Most of these conditions can be detected and treated at birth or soon after, giving a child a much better long-term health outlook.
Some heart problems develop later in life, particularly mitral valve prolapse. This condition appears to develop around adolescence and requires that the person take certain precautions when undergoing surgery or having certain dental procedures.
Other heart problems, such as heart failure, can develop as a complication of Down syndrome and require close monitoring and long-term medical care.
Down syndrome does not raise a person's risk of getting coronary artery disease.
References
Citations
Elias ER, et al. (2007). Chromosomal disorders: Abnormal number section of Genetics and dysmorphology. In WW Hay et al., eds., Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment, 18th ed., pp. 1031–1032. New York: Lange Medical Books/McGraw-Hill.
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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