October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Children with Down syndrome often see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for concerns with hearing, sleep, and breathing. Most of these are very treatable, especially when they are found early.
Why do these concerns come up more often? Smaller ear canals, narrower nasal passages, a smaller airway, and lower muscle tone are all common with Down syndrome. Knowing what to look for helps you and your child’s care team stay a step ahead.
Ears and hearing
Fluid behind the eardrum is common, and it often causes no pain or fever. It can make sounds muffled, which matters while your child is learning speech and language.
Narrow ear canals can also make it hard to see the eardrum during a regular office visit, and wax builds up easily. An ENT can use a microscope to gently clean the ears and get a clear look.
Regular hearing tests are recommended throughout childhood, usually about every six months in the early years and yearly after that. If fluid keeps coming back, ear tubes are a common and effective option.
You may want to check in if your child:
• Does not respond to sounds or their name as you would expect
• Has frequent ear infections
• Pulls at their ears or seems off balance
• Has not had a hearing test in the past year
Sleep and breathing
Obstructive sleep apnea is common in children with Down syndrome. It can be present even when a child does not snore, and even when parents see nothing unusual at night.
For that reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every child with Down syndrome be evaluated for sleep-disordered breathing by age 4. Good sleep supports learning, behavior, growth, and heart health.
Signs to mention to your child’s doctor:
• Snoring, gasping, or pauses in breathing
• Restless sleep or frequent waking
• Sleeping sitting up, or with the neck stretched back
• Daytime sleepiness or changes in mood and behavior
Treatment depends on the child. Options can include removing the tonsils and adenoids, CPAP, or other approaches your care team will talk through with you.
Nose and sinuses
Smaller nasal passages can mean a nose that seems stuffy or runny much of the time. Saline spray or rinses help many children. Congestion that does not clear, or sinus infections that keep returning, are worth a visit because they can affect sleep and feeding.
Airway and voice
Some babies and young children have a narrower airway. Let your doctor know about noisy breathing, croup that keeps coming back, or trouble with feeding. This is also helpful information to share before any procedure that involves anesthesia.
You know your child best
Every child is different, and many will have only a few ENT concerns or none at all. If something does not seem right, trust that instinct and ask. We are always glad to see your family, answer questions, and work alongside your pediatrician and the rest of your child’s care team.
To schedule a visit with Midwest ENT Specialists, please call 651-641-6134 or text us at 651-661-4740