Hawkeye Area Down Syndrome Association, Inc.

I suggest you give a copy of this list to your pediatricain.
Click Here for printable version.

Health Care Guidelines for children with Down Syndrome
Childhood (1 - 12 years)
Based on 1999 Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines
Down Syndrome Quarterly (Volume 4, Number 3, September 1999, pp 1-16)

TSH and T4-Thyroid Function Test (annual).
Echocardiogram by a pediatric cardiologist if not done previously.
Behavioral Auditory Testing (every 6 months to age 3, then annually).
Lateral cervical spine x-rays (neutral view, flexion, extension) to rule out atlanto-axial instability. Radiologist to measure atlanto-dens distance and neural canal width (at 3-5 years, then as needed). * Dr. Menezes, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Neurologist, suggests every 2-3 years.
Pediatric and neurological exam with evaluation for spinal cord compression: deep tendon reflexes, gait, Babinski sign.
Use Down Syndrome Growth Charts and head circumference charts with others. (See Link).
Eye examination (annually, or as indicated).
Screen for celiac disease, IgA antiendomysium antibodies and total IgA (between 2 and 3 years).
Question about obstructive sleep apnea; ENT exam (as needed).
Dental exam (2 years; follow up exams every 6 months after). Twice daily brushing.
Reinforce need for subacute bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (SBE) for cardiac problems (as indicated).
Brief vulvar exam for girls.
Well child care: immunizations; pneumococcal vaccine (2 years).
Evaluation by speech/language pathologist.