Heart Problems

Individuals with Down’s Syndrome have a 1 in 2 chance of being born with a congenital (present at birth) heart defect. Early diagnosis is key, this can increase both the quality of life and overall life span of the child involved (5).

Some Symptoms of Congenital heart defects:

  • blue tinge to skin
  • Baby has trouble feeding
  • clubbed fingernails
  • rapid heartbeat
  • extreme tiredness and fatigue (6)

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Illustration of Clubbed Fingers – Medline Plus (2017) (4)

downs ref 17

Baby with Cyanosis – Disease Pictures (2017). (2)

Many children with Down’s Syndrome with heart defects have a Septal Defect. This is more commonly known as a ‘hole in the heart’ (5). This can occur in the Atria (top) of the heart or in the Ventricles (bottom) (6). There are other congenital heart defects such as persistent ductus arteriosus along with more complicated defects such as tetralogy of Fallot (1).

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Normal heart vs Ventricular Septal defect – Mayo Clinic (2017) (3)

This can cause increased blood pressure especially within the lungs, particularly in children where the lungs are not fully developed, and this can potentially effect lung growth (7). Defects can therefore be diagnosed by a failure to thrive (new-borns and children). Surgery is strongly recommended in severe cases to prevent lung damage in new-borns usually at 5-6 months (7).

Medication can also be used to aid symptoms such as diuretics to help remove fluid from the body and make breathing easier and digoxin to slow down the individuals heart beat and hopefully reduce blood pressure and increase heart strength (6).

Mild heart defects such as small holes eventually close by themselves, but larger holes may require surgical intervention to help repair the heart. There is an 80% survival rate of children with congenital heart defects this is also aided with long term monitoring of the child via frequent GP check-ups (6)

Exercise is can be limited for severe cases but despite that research also indicates it can improve health, boost the individual’s self-esteem and prevent later complications. This is particularly important as people with Down’s Syndrome are prone to obesity (6). More information on exercise plans  and obesity can be found here.

Many individuals require treatments throughout their lives which may include specialist reviews to help decrease the risk of further heart problems throughout the years. Despite this most individuals with congenital heart disease have a great outcome (6).

Reference:

  1. Disease, D. (2017). Down Syndrome and Congenital Heart Disease – Padiatric Heart Specialists. [online] Pediatricheartspecialists.com. Available at: https://www.pediatricheartspecialists.com/blog/55-down-syndrome-and-congenital-heart-disease [Accessed 11 Dec. 2017].
  2. Disease Pictures (2017). Cyanosis Baby. [image] Available at: http://diseasespictures.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Cyanosis-2.jpg [Accessed 11 Dec. 2017].
  3. Mayo Clinic (2017). Ventricular Septal Defect. [image] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/-/media/kcms/gbs/patient-consumer/images/2013/08/26/10/47/ds00614_ds00998_im02680_r7_ventseptdefthu_jpg.jpg [Accessed 11 Dec 2017]
  4. Medline Plus (2017). Clubbing of Fingernails. [image] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/fullsize/18127.jpg [Accessed 11 Dec 2017].
  5. uk. (2017). Complications. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/downs-syndrome/complications/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2017].
  6. uk. (2017). Congenital heart disease. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/congenital-heart-disease/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2017].
  7. (2017). Heart Defects and Down Syndrome. [online] Available at: https://www.parents.com/health/down-syndrome/heart-defects/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2017].