Epilepsy
Evidence of epileptic activity should be monitored, as there are two lifetime peaks where risk of developing seizures is greater for people with Down’s Syndrome. The first lifetime peak is in infancy and the second is in adulthood. Epileptic seizure activity is believed to be related to the onset and development of Alzheimer’s disease in adulthood.
http://www.epilepsytoolbox.scot.nhs.uk
Height & Weight
There are specific Down's Syndrome height and weight charts which should be uses to monitor each individual.
Blood tests/monitoring
Blood cholesterol screening is recommended to begin at age 35 for men and 45 for women.
Dental Health
Children's teeth development is usually delayed. Teeth are often missing, small or mis-shaped and overcrowding can occur due to a small oral cavity. Mouth breathing may lead to a fissured tongue and lips.
Periodontal disease (disease of the tissues that support and attach the teeth) can occur in adolescence leading to loss of teeth. Initial dental evaluation is recommended at age 2 years followed by regular dental checks every 6 months. Contact the dentist if any dental problems are identified out with routine appointments.
Dentists should always be informed of any heart condition to arrange any antibiotic cover as necessary due to drilling or extraction of teeth may allow bacteria in the mouth to enter the bloodstream, causing an endocarditis (infection in the heart).
Skin
Newborns frequently have (acrocynasis) blue coloured hands and feet for several days after birth due to decreased circulation. In addition cutis marmorata (bluish mottling of the skin) is a response of the capillaries of the skin being cool, it can last for several months longer in infants with Down's Syndrome.
Skin conditions listed below are common for people with Down's Syndrome, contact your paediatrician or GP who can aid diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.
- Xerosis (dry, rough skin) Best managed by non-drying soaps, oils in bath water and moisturizers.
- Chelitis (fissures that are red and scaly), usually at the corners of the mouth and lips. Moisture collects at the corners of the mouth and could become infected with bacteria or the yeast Candida. Best managed by mild steroid cream.
- Atopic dermatitis (red, scaly, itchy skin) it generally appears on the cheeks, behind the ears and in elbow and knee creases. Best managed with steroid creams and oral antihistamines. Seborrhea is a similar condition, but is usually greasy and scaly, which generally appears on the scalp and eyebrows. Best managed with anti-dandruff shampoos or shampoos with either tar compounds of salicylates. In addition antifungal ointments may also be useful.
- Hyperkeratosis (very thick skin on the palms of hands and soles of feet). Best managed with creams with salicylate acid or a pumice stone.
- Syringomas (benign skin tumours that arise from sweat ducts). Usually appears as numerous raised nodules on the skin and yellowish in appearance. They are twice as likely to occur in women than men. They don’t usually require any treatment, however they can be removed by lasers, shaving or scooping out with a curette. Talk to the Paediatrician or GP.
- Elastosis Perforans Serpiginosa (the elastic tissue of the skin causes deep red raised lesions) which appear in straight or circular patterns. They usually appear on the back and side of the neck, however can also appear on the chin, cheeks, arms and knees. Men are four times more likely than women to have them and often reoccur. They can last for several years, and can sometimes go away on their own or talk to the Paediatrician or GP regarding liquid nitrogen therapy.
- Folliculitis (infection and/or inflammation of hair follicles of the skin). They appear as small red or yellowish pustules. Most infections are caused by bacteria staphylococcus. Best managed by either topical or oral antibiotics and cleaning with antibacterial soap. If it is a persistent, fungal folliculitis it is Best managed by either topical or oral antifungal medications.
Treating skin conditions ...
Quick Quiz
How often should you attend the dentist?
6 monthly
2 yearly
Never
Why would you need to tell the dentist the person has a heart condition?
So the Dentist can note it down
They don't need to know