Patient's question:
My baby is two years old and still cannot speak, with unclear pronunciation. Also, he is much shorter than other children, and many other behaviors are different from those of children in the same age group. Family members suspect he may have Down syndrome. Could you please tell me what are the symptoms of Down syndrome?Doctor's answer:
The child has intellectual disability, language development and behavioral impairments. The average age of starting to speak is 4-6 years old, with 95% having speech defects. Motor development is delayed, with clumsy, uncoordinated movements and unsteady gait. Growth and development are impaired. The facial features are distinctive: wide-set eyes, slanted outer corners of the eyes, epicanthal folds, low-set ears, low nasal bridge, and thick tongue. Approximately half of the children have congenital heart disease. Additionally, due to low immune function, they are prone to infectious diseases and leukemia. If they survive to adulthood, they often develop symptoms of senile dementia after the age of 30.