Down Syndrome?

Question

My baby boy was recently diagnosed with Down Syndrome. He is now several weeks old and his two major characteristics have disappeared. He had slanted eyes and folded ears. Now his eyes look mostly normal and so do his ears. Is this supposed to happen that his looks change shortly after birth. He has no other characteristics as far as we can tell.

We have had the chromosome test which confirmed Trisomy 21. We are handling this situation and very happy with our little baby, I was just wondering if anyone had heard of changes occuring.

Answer 1

Congratulations on the birth of your son. I too, have a son with Down Syndrome. He is 27 years old now and the light of our lives.

In answer to your question I believe the reason you think his characteristics have disappeared is because you are falling more in love with him everyday. As you know him and love him you are seeing beyond the physical. I remember thinking my son didn't look "downs" but others always saw it immediately and I was always surprised. There are many characteristics of Down Syndrome and not all people have every characteristic, thus they are individuals. Now days I don't even think about it.....he's just my son.

Answer 2

Was your son diagnosed by a pediatrician or a geneticist? They probably ordered chromosomal studies.
There are more than those two signs to look for, and I hope all were explained to you.
There is a range of IQs and function among Down's syndrome babies, and many do quite well.
Talk to your doc, find out if tests were done [ if not, they should have been ].
If tests were done, and positive for Down's, go online to find a lot of info, and support groups.

Answer 3

Hi!! congratulations on the birth of your little boy!!

characteristics of DS vary from one child to the next. as with any baby, as they grow they change in appearance to some degree. if I walked by you in the grocery store with my son you probably never would look twice at him.....let alone associate him with having down syndrome. the facial characteristics he exhibits are subtle, but he does have it.
I read that you had the dna test done to confirm trisomy 21....now my question is this....have you been in contact with agencies that will help your son? I don't know where you live , but I am going to assume it is the states. there is the birth to 3 or early intervention program which offers therapies such as physical, occupational, and speech as well as special education. (these therapies begin after birth and are extremely beneficial and will help with his development) katie beckett which offers complete health coverage (no cost to you), SSI disability and there are a few other ones I can't remember the names of them though, but I do know they have very long waiting lists. if you have any questions or just need to talk to someone who has been there, please feel free to email me anytime. I'd be happy to help in any way I can!
I just wanted to add..... here are some other characteristics of DS:
simean crease (solid deep line that runs across the palm of the hands)
fingers and toes for that matter are shorter and stubbier (for lack of a better word) as well as chubby hands
pinkie fingers on the hands are sometimes bent a bit and curved inward.
sandal toe (larger than normal gap between the big toe and the second toe)
low muscle tone
brushfield spots (white markings in the irises of the eyes, it looks like their eyes sparkle all the time...My son has these and he has the most gorgeous eyes)
larger than normal tongue sometimes causing them to have trouble eating and speech later on along with a shallow pallet
flat feet (little or no arch on their feet)

You have chosen a path to go down different from most new mom's and for that I commend you! it is not any harder or easier than raising a "typical" child.....it is just a a little different. but I will tell you one thing for sure....the pride that you are going to feel when your son accomplishes his goals will feel like nothing you have ever felt before! and you will also learn the true meaning of the word patience.

Answer 4

Down Syndrome can be determined by blood tests, one way or the other. But there are degrees of the syndrome, as with anything. There are many many good support groups for parents of D.S. little ones, who can offer much information, referrals, and support. FYI, children with D.S. are some of the sweetest, gentlest children/teens/adults!! Learn, get support, and enjoy your precious little one!

Go to: http://www.ndsccenter.org/

(National Down Syndrome Center) -- for lots of information, beautiful photos, books, parent groups, etc.

Answer 5

Maybe the more you look at him the more normal he looks to you.

I often find it hard to see the characteristics in my daughter, who is six now. I have to look hard. I'm so used to her face that I just see her face. On the other hand, I find myself seeing people with Down syndrome all the time, even those who don't have it. I have to look twice sometimes. I'm tuned to it now.

Answer 6

He should have testing done for chromosomal abnormalities; diagnosing based on looks is completely unfounded. If your doctor hasn't done that, you need a new doctor. If the chromosomal abnormalities are confirmed, it may be normal for him to "grow into" more conventional looks.

Answer 7

No idea about the looks thing... but are you just going by these two characteristics as a diagnosis? Did your doc do any other tests?