Birth defects assosiated with Downs Syndrome.

Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a variety of health issues when they are born and require extra  care. On the other hand some individuals with Down syndrome have no major health problems.

Some of the medical complication associated with Down syndrome are;Heart defects,Pulmonary hypertension, Hearing loss,vi son loss,Leukemia,Infectious diseases, Dementia,Sleep apnea and Obesity.

Nearly half of individuals with Down syndrome are born with congenital heart defect, which can be life threatening,and will require surgery early in life.

Individuals with Down syndrome are at a greater risk of developing pulmonary hypertension,it is a serious condition and can lead to irreversible damage to the lungs,all individuals born with Down syndrome should be evaluated by a pediatrics cardiologist.

About half of the individuals with Downs syndrome experience hearing loss,due to fluid build up in the inner ear or structural problem of the ear,it is necessary to be evaluated by an audiologist on a regular basis in order to detect and correct any problem so not to interfere with language and learning skills.

Vision loss affect nearly half of individuals with Downs syndrome, vison problem often associated with vision loss is amblyopia(lazy eye), near /farsightedness and cataracts, individuals should consult with an ophthalmologist to recognize and correct any defects.

Individuals with Downs syndrome are more likely to develop Leukemia at a young age than other individuals without Down syndrome.

Individuals with Down syndrome are are at a greater risk  for infectious disease such as pneumonia., due to abnormalities in their immune system.

By or before the age of  40 individuals with Down syndrome has a greater chance of  showing signs of dementia.

Downs syndrome individuals tend to have a greater risk of obstructive sleep apnea, due to soft tissue and skeletal alterations that causes obstruction of the airway.

Individuals with Down syndrome are more prone to be obese than the general population.

All of the above may seem overwhelming but with a support team in place can take the pressure of care giver, and individual can lead a life enhanced.