Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines Based on 1999 Down Syndrome Health Care Guidelines*
Health Guidelines for Adults with Down SyndromeAdulthood (More than 18 Years)
TSH and T4-Thyroid Function Test (annual).
Auditory testing (every 2 years).
Cervical spine x-rays (as needed for sports); check for atlanto-axial dislocation.
Opthalmologic exam, looking especially for keratoconus & cataracts (every 2 yrs)
Clinical evaluation of the heart to rule out mitral/aortic valve problems. Echocardiogram-ECHO (as indicated).
Reinforce the need for subacute bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis (SBE) in susceptible adults with cardiac disease.
Baseline Mammography (40 yrs; follow up every other yr until 50, then annual).
Pap smear and pelvic exam (every 1-3 yrs. after first intercourse). If not sexually active, single-finger bimanual exam with finger-directed cytology exam. If unable to perform, screen pelvic ultrasound (every 2-3 years). Breast exam (annually).
General physical/neurological exam. Routine adult care.
Clinical evaluation for sleep apnea.
Low calorie, high-fiber diet. Regular exercise. Monitor for obesity.
Health, abuse-prevention and sexuality education. Smoking, drug & alcohol ed.
Clinical evaluation of functional abilities (consider accelerated aging); monitor loss of independent living skills.
Neurological referral for early symptoms of dementia: decline in function, memory loss, ataxia, seizures and incontinence of urine and/or stool.
Monitor for behavior/emotional/mental health. Psych referral (as needed).
Continue speech and language therapy (as indicated).
For the complete Health Care Guidelines for Individuals with Down Syndrome, visit the Information and Resources section of the NDSS Web site.
* "Health Care Guidelines For Individuals With Down Syndrome: 1999 Revision" (Down Syndrome Preventive Medical Check List) is published in Down Syndrome Quarterly (Volume 4, Number 3, September, 1999, pp. 1-16) and is reprinted with permission of the editor. Information concerning publication policy or subscriptions may be obtained by contacting Dr. Samuel J. Thios, Editor, Denison University, Granville, OH 43023; e-mail:
Granville, OH 43023 (email:
).
