Patient's question:
My child has been catching colds recently, and they eat a lot of salt. Now they always have phlegm, and sometimes they sneak and eat pickled vegetables. Now they cough but can't bring up any phlegm, which makes me very worried. They have a small and round head, low and flat nasal bridge, small palpebral fissures with an upward slant on the outer side, and wide eye spacing. What kind of help is needed: How can you tell if a child has Down syndrome?Doctor's answer:
The condition of the child cannot be determined solely by looking at the child's ears for Down syndrome, as there is a special facial appearance associated with Down syndrome. It is not appropriate to exclude concerns based on the ears. If the child's ears appear normal, it does not necessarily mean there is no issue. Regarding Down syndrome, the ear position being low in children with this condition is not visible in the images you provided. Additionally, children with Down syndrome often exhibit wide-set eyes, low nasal bridge, and other characteristics. This condition is also known as Trisomy 21. It is recommended to conduct newborn screening after birth, as it generally leads to a definitive diagnosis. If diagnosed, there is typically no effective treatment available.