The GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome provide evidence-based medical recommendations to support health care providers in their care of adults with Down syndrome. They are an excellent resource to share with health care providers who do not have a lot of experience caring for adults with Down syndrome.
Brian Chicoine, MD, the Medical Director of the Adult Down Syndrome Center, was one of the authors of the first edition published in 2020. The topics covered in the 2020 guidelines were:
- Atlantoaxial instability
- Behavior
- Cardiovascular disease
- Celiac disease
- Dementia
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Thyroid
The next set of guidelines is already in progress. The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) recently announced the authors of the 2nd set of guidelines. Dr. Chicoine was selected again as one of the authors. GLOBAL’s website .png)
has the full list of authors of the 2nd edition.
In the 2nd set of guidelines, the authors will review and update the topics from the 1st set as well as address a new set of topics:
- Eye/vision care
- Leukemia
- Physical therapy and fitness
- Sleep apnea
- Solid tumors
Developing evidence-based guidelines is a rigorous process that includes reviewing published research studies and discussions among experts in the health of adults with Down syndrome. The goal is to publish the 2nd set of guidelines in 2027.
Learn more about the GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines
Learn more about Dr. Chicoine