What is the health risk for peolpe with Down syndrome?
Many children with Down syndrome have health complications beyond the usual childhood illness. Approximately 40% of the children have congenital heart defects. It is very important that an echocardiogram be performed on all newborns with Down syndrome in order to identify any serious cardiac problems that might be present. Some of the heart conditions require surgery while others only require careful monitoring. Children with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of infection, respiratory, vision and hearing problems as well as thyroid and other medical conditions. However, with appropriate medical care most children and adults with Down syndrome can lead healthy lives with the average life expectancy of 55 years and with many living into their sixties and seventies.
