Use this as a prompt list for , paediatrician, school nurse, annual reviews and care plans.
| Health Area | Why it matters | Possible signs/questions | Who can help | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart/cardiology | Congenital heart conditions are more common. Babies and children may need cardiac checks, echocardiogram and cardiology follow-up. | Breathlessness, blue colour, poor feeding, sweating, poor growth or reduced stamina should be discussed urgently. | Paediatrician, cardiology, , health visitor | other health conditions;DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Feeding and swallowing | Babies may need help with feeding because of low tone, coordination, reflux or health issues. | Choking, coughing with feeds, poor weight gain, long feeds or chest infections need assessment. | Midwife, health visitor, paediatrician, feeding team, dietitian | Down's syndrome; how to help CYP |
| Growth/nutrition | Growth should be monitored using appropriate charts and by considering feeding, thyroid, heart, coeliac and sleep issues. | Do not dismiss poor growth or excessive weight gain as simply Down's syndrome. | Paediatrician, dietitian, | DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Hearing/glue ear | Hearing problems and glue ear are common and can affect language, behaviour and learning. | Ask for audiology if speech stalls, attention drops, behaviour changes, or the child misses instructions. | Audiology, ENT, school, | other health conditions;DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Vision | Sight problems are common and regular eye checks are important. | Squint, sitting very close, clumsiness, headaches, losing place when reading or avoidance of table tasks may be signs. | Optometrist, ophthalmology, school | other health conditions;DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Thyroid | Thyroid disorders are more common and can affect energy, weight, mood, constipation, development and learning. | Ask /paediatrician about routine thyroid blood tests and record dates/results. | , paediatrician, endocrinology | DSMIG medical surveillance; other health conditions |
| Sleep and obstructive sleep apnoea | Sleep-disordered breathing is common and may affect behaviour, learning, mood, heart health and daytime tiredness. | Snoring, pauses in breathing, restless sleep, sweating, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches or behaviour change need discussion. | , paediatrician, ENT, sleep clinic | other health conditions;DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Infections and immunisations | People with Down's syndrome may be more vulnerable to infections and should have routine immunisations; extra advice may apply for flu/pneumococcal/covid depending on risk. | Seek medical help early if breathing, fever, hydration or alertness concerns appear. | , paediatrician, immunisation nurse | other health conditions;DSMIG immunisation |
| Gastrointestinal/reflux/constipation | Reflux, constipation and coeliac-related symptoms can affect eating, sleep, behaviour and comfort. | Persistent vomiting, severe constipation, blood, pain, weight loss or swallowing problems need medical review. | , paediatrician, dietitian, gastroenterology | other health conditions;DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Dental/oral health | Low tone, mouth breathing, reflux, feeding issues and sensory needs can affect oral health. | Start early dental visits, desensitisation and visual supports. | Dentist, community dental service, | DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Motor skills and low tone | Low muscle tone and joint laxity can affect posture, walking, stamina, handwriting and self-care. | Ask for physiotherapy/ if milestones, pain, walking, stairs, fatigue or school access are concerns. | Physiotherapy, , orthotics | how to help CYP |
| Haematology/TAM | Babies with Down syndrome can have transient abnormal myelopoiesis/transient leukaemia and need appropriate blood checks/follow-up where indicated. | Unusual bruising, pallor, persistent infections, swollen tummy or unexplained tiredness should be checked. | Neonatal team, paediatrician, haematology | DSMIG haematology;BSH transient leukaemia |
| Cervical spine/neck concerns | Some people may have neck/spine instability or neurological signs that need urgent attention. | Neck pain, change in walking, weakness, loss of skills, altered bladder/bowel control or new clumsiness require prompt medical advice. | , paediatrician, emergency care, orthopaedics/neurology | DSMIG medical surveillance |
| Mental health | Anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, bullying and sensory stress can occur and may show as withdrawal, sleep changes, refusal or behaviour change. | Look for triggers, pain, communication frustration and environmental stress; ask for accessible mental health support. | , , learning disability team, school | support for adults;Mencap Down syndrome |
| Adult health checks | Adults with a learning disability should have regular health reviews; Down's syndrome-specific issues may include thyroid, hearing, vision, sleep, mental health and dementia screening. | Create a health passport and keep a baseline of skills, mood, sleep and communication. | , learning disability nurse, adult social care | support for adults;DSMIG medical surveillance |