Down Syndrome

Helping Children with Down Syndrome Achieve Their Full Potential

Call for an Appointment 855-855-6484

Duke pediatric geneticists provide coordinated, lifelong care for children with Down syndrome. As part of the Duke Comprehensive Down Syndrome program, your child will receive care, support, and resources to become as healthy and independent as possible.

Find a Down Syndrome Doctor
Matching Results
Filter Results
Filter by:
Use My Current Location
Located Near You
Loading Results
Showing of Doctors
Load More View All
×

Caring for Children with Down Syndrome

About Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is often diagnosed before birth. In addition to developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, speech problems, and hearing loss, children with Down syndrome may experience other medical conditions, including heart abnormalities, gastrointestinal problems, pulmonary problems, spinal conditions, neurological concerns, and problems with their gross motor skills.

A Team Approach to Care
Our comprehensive Down Syndrome program includes experts with years of experience working closely with individuals with Down syndrome. Our team includes specialists in genetic counseling, speech and feeding therapy, nutrition, social work, and physical therapy.

Referrals to Specialists
We also provide referrals to specialists in ophthalmology, audiology, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, psychology, and occupational therapy. Our ongoing care of your child ensures related medical conditions are diagnosed early and treated promptly.

Our Locations

Duke Health offers locations throughout the Triangle. Find one near you.

Treatments

Preventive Care and Monitoring

Preventing serious medical conditions is the cornerstone of the care we provide. Our ongoing care for your child includes preventive screenings, thyroid testing, monitoring of development, and early intervention services. We help coordinate care to be sure your child receives regular hearing checks, vision checks, cardiology testing, and referral to other specialists as needed.

Speech Therapy

People with Down syndrome are often able to understand more than they can express. Speech therapy can improve their communication skills and give them ways to communicate more fully at home, at school, and in group settings.

Physical and Occupational Therapy

Low muscle tone, flexible joints, and decreased strength are often seen in people with Down syndrome and can impact the development of gross motor skills. Our physical and occupational therapists help children develop movement patterns that lead to good posture, proper foot alignment, and an efficient walking pattern.

Nutritional Support

The low muscle tone that comes with Down syndrome means many children experience constipation and other gastrointestinal conditions. A healthy diet is key to good health and strong development. A nutrition plan designed to fight constipation includes lots of fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables, and plenty of fluids.

toy phone
Call for an Appointment

Family and Support Services

Advocacy for Families

Our entire Down syndrome team helps you discover community resources and teaches you how to advocate for your child’s education, so that he or she receives needed services and care at school and throughout his or her life.

Education and Guidance

Our child life specialists provide support, education, and guidance to help you and your child during treatment and hospitalization. Child life specialists explain procedures, offer encouragement, and use fun activities to take your child’s mind off treatment.

Care Coordination and Support

Our social workers can help you navigate the medical system and coordinate the variety of health services your child needs. We help you work with insurance providers, connect you with resources, and help you manage details related to your child’s care.

Best Children's Hospital in NC

Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center is proud to be nationally ranked in 10 pediatric specialties.

Our Research-Based Approach

Nationally Recognized Experts in Down syndrome
Many of our doctors are also researchers who are nationally recognized for advancing the health and well-being of people with Down syndrome. Our research into lifelong preventive care and monitoring for Down syndrome and our collaboration with experts from different specialties are ongoing. We are currently investigating why some individuals with Down syndrome may have a sudden decline in thinking, called “Down syndrome disintegrative disorder.” Through these studies, we hope to identify the causes and potential treatments for this cognitive decline.

Support for Our Research Program
Our research program is supported by the Anna’s Angels Foundation, which is dedicated to improving cognition and communication abilities in individuals with Down syndrome.

This page was medically reviewed on 08/19/2022