Down Syndrome
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Down Syndrome
When your doctor or nurse should check
Growth
Your childs growth will be checked at each routine check-up, including:
- At the first visit
At the first visit
- At 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months; and
At 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months; and
- Once a year after age 2 years (until he or she is an adult)
Once a year after age 2 years (until he or she is an adult)
Sleep
Starting when your child turns 1 year, your doctor or nurse should ask about your child's sleep habits. Tell your doctor or nurse if your child snores, sleeps in an unusual position, or does not sleep well. Also, make sure your child has a sleep test by the time he or she turns four.
Thyroid hormones
Your child's thyroid hormones should be checked at birth, 6 months, 12 months, and then once a year after that.
Hearing
Your child's hearing should be checked at each routine check-up. But it is especially important that hearing be checked:
- At birth
At birth
- At 6 months and at least once a year after that
At 6 months and at least once a year after that
Vision
Your child's vision should be checked at each routine check-up. But it is especially important that vision be checked:
- By an eye doctor at 6 months and then every year until age 5
By an eye doctor at 6 months and then every year until age 5
- By an eye doctor every 2 years from ages 5 to 13 years
By an eye doctor every 2 years from ages 5 to 13 years
- By an eye doctor every 3 years from ages 13 to 21 years
By an eye doctor every 3 years from ages 13 to 21 years
Heart
Your child's heart should be checked for problems before and after he or she is born. To do this, your doctor will do an imaging test called an ultrasound that can create images of the heart.
Blood
Your child's blood should be checked for problems at birth. Every year from ages 1 to 21 years, his or her blood should also be checked for a blood disorder called "anemia. " пїЅ To do this, your doctor will order a blood test called a "Hemoglobin. " пїЅ
Muscle and nerve problems
At any visit, tell your child's doctor if your child:
- Has any problems walking
Has any problems walking
- Begins using his or her hands or arms differently
Begins using his or her hands or arms differently
- Has problems controlling his or her bowel or bladder
Has problems controlling his or her bowel or bladder
- Has neck pain or tilts his or her head to one side
Has neck pain or tilts his or her head to one side
- Has muscle weakness
Has muscle weakness
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