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Suggest Treatment For Down Syndrome?
Question: As per information for treatment of Down,s Syndrome recently advances in terms of medication started, can you guide us how to go about it, my son is border line case of Down Syndrome.
Brief Answer:
regular monitoring and detailed evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for posting the concern in HCM.
My understanding is that patients with down syndrome should have a battery of screening tests done along with condition specific treatment.
Management started early gives positive result.
Firstly, routine immunisation and we'll childcare. In addition, pneumococcal and influenza vaccines should be given.
Secondly, screening for thyroid disease, cardiac problems, audiological problem etcshould be done.
For that, routine blood examination like complete blood count, urea, creatinine, electrolytes should be coupled with fasting TSH, HbA1c, LFT
Ecg
Echocardiography
Urine routine examination
USG whole abdomen
Examination by an ENT surgeon
Examination by an ophthalmologist
Treatment should be done according to abnormality present.
Diet should be normal. Regular exercise and avoiding obesity should be encouraged in older children and adults.
There are several exercises for cognitive enhancement which will bring about excellent results.
No additional vitamin or any other medicine supplement is needed for regular use.
Annual follow up examinations are needed.
If you find this answer helpful, please close the thread and rate my answer. Regards
Dr Kaushik Sarkar
regular monitoring and detailed evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for posting the concern in HCM.
My understanding is that patients with down syndrome should have a battery of screening tests done along with condition specific treatment.
Management started early gives positive result.
Firstly, routine immunisation and we'll childcare. In addition, pneumococcal and influenza vaccines should be given.
Secondly, screening for thyroid disease, cardiac problems, audiological problem etcshould be done.
For that, routine blood examination like complete blood count, urea, creatinine, electrolytes should be coupled with fasting TSH, HbA1c, LFT
Ecg
Echocardiography
Urine routine examination
USG whole abdomen
Examination by an ENT surgeon
Examination by an ophthalmologist
Treatment should be done according to abnormality present.
Diet should be normal. Regular exercise and avoiding obesity should be encouraged in older children and adults.
There are several exercises for cognitive enhancement which will bring about excellent results.
No additional vitamin or any other medicine supplement is needed for regular use.
Annual follow up examinations are needed.
If you find this answer helpful, please close the thread and rate my answer. Regards
Dr Kaushik Sarkar
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thankyou Dr. XXXXXXX I wish to know if there is any recent advancement in medicine for the overall treatment of down syndrome ? I would also like to mention that my son is 22 years old he has already put on a lot of weight and is too lazy it takes a lot of effort to convince him for any kind of physical activity.kindly suggest what measures should be taken for that.Moreover ,recently he has started sweating a lot while having his meal, is there a reason for which it happens? Also my son suffers from skin allergy n dandruff all throughout the year.It is only during 2-3 months of the winter season that the allergy disappear,
Brief Answer:
no approved medicine
Detailed Answer:
Although many trials have been done or are going on, no specific method has been approved yet for treatment of Down Syndrome. However, gene silencing mechanism has been showing some promise. But, it is yet to be universally approved and cost is yet to be declared.
Fluoxetine, methylphenidate, ginkgo biloba have been tried. But, no proven benefit and safety issue have been universally accepted.
Now, regarding the symptoms of your son,
Important things are weight reduction,
Treatment of exfoliative dermatitis,
And screening for any gut malformation.
He may be taken to a neuropsychiatrist for Cognitive therapy and motivation for doing exercise.
Diet should contain less fat (oil less than2 tablespoons per day), salt< 5gm per day, high fibre and green leafy vegetables. Diet chart in accordance with proper nutrition requirements may be prepared by a therapeutic nutrition specialist.
For the skin problem he may use Cetaphil lotion and ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff.
For screening of sweating after meals, the following tests may be needed -
Fasting TSH, HbA1c, LFT, USG whole abdomen.
If USG is inconclusive, CT scan of abdomen may be required.
He should also get examined by your local physician.
If you find this answer helpful, please close the thread and rate my answer. Regards.
Dr Kaushik Sarkar
no approved medicine
Detailed Answer:
Although many trials have been done or are going on, no specific method has been approved yet for treatment of Down Syndrome. However, gene silencing mechanism has been showing some promise. But, it is yet to be universally approved and cost is yet to be declared.
Fluoxetine, methylphenidate, ginkgo biloba have been tried. But, no proven benefit and safety issue have been universally accepted.
Now, regarding the symptoms of your son,
Important things are weight reduction,
Treatment of exfoliative dermatitis,
And screening for any gut malformation.
He may be taken to a neuropsychiatrist for Cognitive therapy and motivation for doing exercise.
Diet should contain less fat (oil less than2 tablespoons per day), salt< 5gm per day, high fibre and green leafy vegetables. Diet chart in accordance with proper nutrition requirements may be prepared by a therapeutic nutrition specialist.
For the skin problem he may use Cetaphil lotion and ketoconazole shampoo for dandruff.
For screening of sweating after meals, the following tests may be needed -
Fasting TSH, HbA1c, LFT, USG whole abdomen.
If USG is inconclusive, CT scan of abdomen may be required.
He should also get examined by your local physician.
If you find this answer helpful, please close the thread and rate my answer. Regards.
Dr Kaushik Sarkar
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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