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Common symptoms of Down Syndrome

Posted By : Administrator Monday 20 Mar, 2017
Common symptoms of Down Syndrome

The symptoms of Down syndrome vary from person to person, and people with Down syndrome may have different problems at different times of their lives.


Physical Symptoms

Common physical signs of Down syndrome include:

• Decreased or poor muscle tone

• Short neck, with excess skin at the back of the neck

• Flattened facial profile and nose

• Small head, ears, and mouth

• Upward slanting eyes, often with a skin fold that comes out from the upper eyelid and covers the inner corner of the eye

• White spots on the coloured part of the eye (called Brushfield spots)

• Wide, short hands with short fingers

• A single, deep, crease across the palm of the hand

• A deep groove between the first and second toes

In addition, physical development in children with Down syndrome is often slower than development of children without Down syndrome. For example, because of poor muscle tone, a child with Down syndrome may be slow to learn to turn over, sit, stand, and walk. Despite these delays, children with Down syndrome can learn to participate in physical exercise activities like other children. It may take children with Down syndrome longer than other children to reach developmental milestones, but they will eventually meet many of these milestones.


Intellectual and Developmental Symptoms

Cognitive impairment, problems with thinking and learning, is common in people with Down syndrome and usually ranges from mild to moderate. Only rarely is Down syndrome associated with severe cognitive impairment.

Other common cognitive and behavioural problems may include:

• Short attention span

• Poor judgment

• Impulsive behaviour

• Slow learning

• Delayed language and speech development

Most children with Down syndrome develop the communication skills they need, although it might take longer for them to do so compared with other children. Early, ongoing speech and language interventions to encourage expressive language and improve speech are particularly helpful.

Parents and families of children with Down syndrome can connect with other families and people with Down syndrome from around the world to learn more and share information.

Associated Conditions and Disorders

People with Down syndrome are at increased risk for a range of other health conditions, including autism spectrum disorders, problems with hormones and glands, hearing loss, vision problems, and heart abnormalities. Learn more about these other conditions on Catex Health/Mpathy.


Catex Health is a large network of mental health experts who are available 24x7 for your support and will ensure confidential, dignified and empowering support for any sort of emotional distress. Click here to reach out to an expert or call +91 9911775626.









https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/Pages/symptoms.aspx