Health Concerns Copy

Dr. Young

There is nothing that you or your husband did to cause this.  Sometimes these things just happen and no one is to blame.  The extra chromosome usually comes from the mother’s egg – it was actually in the egg before it even joined with the sperm. Once in a while, it may come from the father.  Do not blame yourself or your husband.  Talk out your feelings with each other; that is really important right now.  If you want to talk further with a geneticist, I can certainly refer you. 

Mr. Brown

After we left the hospital, I got on the Internet and did some research of my own on Down syndrome.  I learned about the importance of early teaching, and how much more optimistic the future is for children like Craig. Still, as I read about all the problems these kids can have, I was a bit overwhelmed.

Dr. Young

Oh, where did you look? Do you remember the website you visited?

Mr. Brown

Yes, it was the National Down Syndrome Association one – it was very encouraging.

Dr. Young

That is a very good site, with accurate up-to-date information.  I am glad you are doing research – it is good for you to learn all that you can.  Right now, I want to tell you a little about the special health considerations we have to watch for in children with Down syndrome.  I don’t want you to get the idea that your son will have all of these issues, but these are things for us to watch for. 

First, children with Down syndrome frequently have heart problems.  Most of those problems show up early, and Craig has been doing well, but we should have a cardiologist check his heart.  Craig’s heart appears to be normal, but we need to check to make sure. I am going to make an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist.  He or she will examine Craig and probably do an echocardiogram.  That’s a test that is quite similar to the ultrasound you had while Craig was in the womb. But this will be an ultrasound that lets us see Craig’s heart and how it is functioning. You will be able to be with him and it is not at all painful.