Growth and development

[dad777]

At what age can you stop worrying about your child having Down Syndrome?  Is this noticeable at birth?  My wife had her 1st ultrasound and the technician noticed an echogenic foci in the left ventricle.  No other markers were found.  A second ultrasound revealed no other markers.  My son just turned 7 months and he has been developing great so far.  Should I still worry if he has Down Syndrome?  Should our pediatrician have noticed anything?

[clasc]

DOWNS SYNDROME HAPPENS AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION.  IT IS A GENETIC DISORDER AND DOES HAPPEN AT A "LATER" STAGE.  IF YOUR CHILD HAS DS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NOTICED UPON BIRTH.

[SimplyStar]

God Bless you Debbie  A loving family is the best thing that can happen to a person with Downs .  My son has made my other four children much better people. Patience is indeed the key word.  I hated to retire from my position as supervisor/job coach in our 450 capacity facility. We placed so many out in the community to work alongside  others,  the acceptance of my son has been fantastic, he is a member of the community now, not hiden away as it was just a short time ago.  I am very proud to be from Iowa where Senator Tom Harkin got the ADA passed and it has opened the doors to all. I worked with returning stroke people and by returning your sister to 95% you did a very remarkable thing.

[debby123]

I have a Sister that turned 50 this year . She is the best thing that ever happened to our family. the thing i cant stress enough is have plenty of Patience be strong and don't cave in because of there handicap. I started all over with my sister 3 yrs ago due to a stroke . she is back to 95 percent of her normal now. I would not let her get away with quiting . she tried to use her left side when she is right handed. anyway the point is to raise your child like you would with there brother or sister. And if you need help there are lots of programs to help you. just ask. thanks for hearing my view. debby123

[JoeSixPack]

dad...  I have a 3 year old son with Downs who is progressing nicely.  If your pediatrician was not worried at the birth examination, I don't know why you are.  If you just want to be for sure, get a kerotype done on your son.  This will look at the actual chromosome pairs and will tell without a doubt his genetic condition.  With that being said, if you are at all worried about his development, do not hesitate to contact your local Health and Human resources department to get an evaluation completed to determine his developmental status.  These services are free and are great programs.  Good luck!  

PSB

[SimplyStar]

nan   you don't say how old your son with Downs is, but if he is showing independence, don't hamper that.  My son started school when he was 2, was not even walking then, he went till he graduated from high school at age 21.  Getting your son to listen to you might be a good thing to work on, by making him have eye contact with you. don't try to give him too much information at a time, keep your instructions to 1 at first and then add  others as he grows and can comprehend what you are asking him to do. He should be able to be around his twin, watching another child progress helps a Downs to learn.

dad   A Downs baby will have certain distinguishing signs, the simian lines across the palms, eyes have the slanted look, flabby muscles,  usually a low birth weight.  Chris had a heart murmer, which was heard at birth, I was able to exercize his arms and legs and pump the blood better, within several months the murmer had all but disappeared. There is also sometimes a bowel ring called Hirshpurns  {sp?} that will cause large stools and constipation .  Development is slow, but with time most Downs people will function quite well. Your son sounds like he is very normal to me.  Good Luck to both of you.  

[dad777]

To answer your question, my son is 7 months so at this time he does not have the listening skills required to understand anything.

Sorry!