Downs Syndrome?

[RedPanda]

Hi everyone,
I am so pleased that I have just become an aunt! He is a beautiful little boy, born two weeks early. We have just been told this morning that he is missing a fold in his hand, and he is having trouble feeding (his tongue isn't strong). The hospital has sent for a pediatrician, claiming that he may have a "syndrome' (they won't say what). Does anyone know what the markers of Downs Syndrome are? He also has a problem with one of his eyes (it weeps alot). What do docs look for? We all love him so much that the answer won't matter - we just want to know. Thanks.

[suemp]

congrats on becomming an aunt. it can be scary in the beginning when they tell you something might be wrong. i was told my ds had "palsy" that was all they said so i assumed they ment cerebal palsy when in fact they ment facial palsy (totally different. i believe hospital staff should fill you in more instead of leaving you in limbo)
look to see if his tongue is slighly pinched in the middle. this means your nephew is tongue tied and it causes weak sucking (my ds had that too)
i have heard downs babies have stubby fingers but your best bet would be to google to find out the best info
goodluck:hugs:

[mysonroger]

be careful googling.......that overload of information can be scary. as informative as the internet is, i sometimes don't google because it could cause unnecessary anxiety if you think you display the symptons for something, but then you don't actually even have it.. its very tempting, i understand that.

hope all is well with your little nephew

[OscarTheGrouch]

Congratulations on becoming an Aunty. The best answer is genetic testing, which I'm sure will be offered if there is any indication of Down Syndrome. Good luck with it all, I hope everything goes well with that dear wee little boy.:fingerscrossed:

[pinkandblue]

Hi

Congratulations on becoming an aunt.

Try not to worry too much, my DS was born with a single crease in his left palm and there is nothing wrong with him. He also had weeping eyes (sticky eye?) but I think that is normal with most newborns. And with the feeding, it took my DS a few days to get used to it. He was tube fed a few times.

So try not to worry, wait until you get the test results and hopefully everythings ok.

Natalie

[RedPanda]

Thanks everyone for your help! He was examined today and the doctor says he doesn't have any other Downs Syndrome markers (just the missing hand crease).:smiliedance:

[xkwzit]

Hi Hazel
Thanks for the update.

Cheers

[bigglet]

It's interesting that they still look at the single line hand crease as a Down Syndrome marker. I have the single crease line on both my hands which is actually rare and I have a few people who comment that it is a Down Syndrome marker :p

It's called the simian line (after the apes/monkeys)
Tony Blair also has simian lines on both his hands. ;)

[JenNT]

When my first was born the student nurse told me that it looked like she had downs ...i was like WTF? She said well she has a unbroken line across her palms,and her ears appear low...........AND???????? I asked.......just because she has that you are telling me she has downs???........turns out i spent a few hours stressed out completely for nothing. So yeah they say its rare but does happen.

[MissSparkle]

Me and my dad both have the hand crease thing. Dad was born in Hong Kong and back then the asians saw it as a sign of mongolia (Downs). I cant believe they still havent realised that that is no indication of downs.

Try not to worry too much! And update us once u hear whats happening.

[TwoBlue]

Hey Matey

I hope all goes well for your little Nephew
Sounds to me like he is just extra special and perfect :thumbsup:

Let us know how testing goes

:hugs:

[mollyandkurtsmum]

mu beautiful little boy was born with double simian creases on both hands . We had to go and see a paeditrician as it wasnt noticed by anybody until his 6 week check up. Everything was fine and he is just a minority.
I have a friend who works at a care centre for adults with downs and when I was ther last I had a look (discreetly of course) for any creases and out of the 8 I checked not one had the crease on either hand???????

[TwoBlue]

I know Hazel79 is heavily pregnant now and doesnt have much time to get on and post as much so i thought i'd let all who were wondering know that her little nephew was given the all clear !!

:smiliedance:

[livvyoz]

My little girl DOES have Down Syndrome and she doesn't have all of the markers. She doesn't have the simian crease in her palms.

All kids are different and some "normal" people can have markers and vica-versa.


Glad to hear though that the test results are back at least and now you can breath easy and not worry.