A healthy balanced diet is important to help control diabetes and prevent long term complications.Ĭonstipation: Children with Down Syndrome have generalised low muscle tone, which predisposes them to constipation. For more information on coeliac disease, see our fact sheet “Coeliac disease and a gluten-free diet.”ĭiabetes: Diabetes is more common in people with Down Syndrome. Dietary intervention is required to manage coeliac disease with the implementation of a gluten-free diet for life. Thyroid function should always be checked in those with rapid weight gain.Ĭoeliac disease: Coeliac disease is more common in people with Down Syndrome. Weight gain is a feature of hypothyroidism. Blood testing to check thyroid function is normally carried out annually up to five years of age, and at least once every two years thereafter throughout life. Thyroid Disorder: Thyroid disorder (usually hypothyroidism) occurs more frequently in people with Down Syndrome than in the general population. Infants requiring cardiac surgery will benefit from the intervention of a Paediatric Dietitian to provide nutrition support prior to and post corrective cardiac surgery. Heart Defects: 40-50% of babies with Down Syndrome have congenital heart defects ranging from a heart murmur to more severe conditions requiring cardiac surgery. Adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome tend to be shorter than their peers, and have a lower resting metabolic rate of 10-15% than the general population which further predisposes to weight gain. Adolescents with Down Syndrome do not have the same growth spurt as adolescents in the general population. Some infants with Down Syndrome may require the support of a Paediatric Dietitian for feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, weaning advice, and oral sensitivity.Įxcessive weight gain is a problem for many older children and adults with Down Syndrome. Infants who have increased oral sensitivity often have difficulty accepting new tastes and textures - intervention by a Speech and Language Therapist at an early stage will encourage oral motor and feeding skills. Sometimes parents prefer to delay the weaning process, depending on their child’s feeding skills. Some infants have no difficulty with the introduction of solid foods and follow the normal weaning process successfully. Mothers of infants with Down Syndrome may have no difficulty breast feeding, whereas other mothers may choose to bottle feed their child. All of these factors can impact on how a child develops efficient oral and feeding skills. Many children are mouth breathers due to smaller nasal passages, and may have difficulties coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing whilst feeding. In addition, the tongue may appear larger due to a high arched palate, a smaller oral cavity and reduced muscle tone in the tongue. A smaller oral cavity and low muscle tone in the facial muscles can be contributing factors. Infants and children with Down Syndrome can have feeding and drinking difficulties. Height and weight should be plotted using the growth charts specifically designed for children with Down Syndrome from birth to 18 years. It is essential that growth in children with Down Syndrome is carefully monitored. With appropriate support and encouragement each person with Down Syndrome can reach their individual potential.Ĭhildren with Down Syndrome have a different growth pattern to that of the general population, their average height is shorter, their head circumference is smaller and their growth rate is slower between ages of 3 – 36 months. It is difficult to predict at birth the degree of disability a child may have. The range of abilities of children and adults with Down Syndrome is very wide. It is estimated that in Ireland approximately 1 in 546 children are born with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder, the cause of which is not yet known.
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