Patient's question:
Our child is now almost a month old. Our child currently shows no interest in anything and has never smiled. His only emotion is crying, and his mood swings are unpredictable. Sometimes he has no expression at all, and other times he cries continuously. What are the initial signs of Down syndrome in infants?Doctor's answer:
Infants with Down syndrome, after birth, can exhibit obvious distinctive facial features, such as wide-set eyes, a flat nasal bridge, small palpebral fissures, upward slanting outer corners of the eyes, a thick tongue, often protruding outside the mouth, and excessive drooling. They often show poor appetite and feeding difficulties, but may also cry excessively or have good eating habits. Intellectual development is delayed, as well as motor and sexual development. They may also have other congenital malformations, such as congenital heart disease. Alternatively, their immune function may be impaired, making them more susceptible to various infections.