Resources | Adult Down Syndrome Center

Urinary Retention

Author: Agni Vlahos, MD and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine

Key Points Urinary retention is the build-up of excessive urine in the bladder. It appears to be more common in people with Down syndrome. A common reason for urinary retention in people with Down syn

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and/or kidneys. People with Down syndrome have risk factors for getting a UTI due to issues related to not e

Hypertension and Hypotension

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points The blood pressure of people with Down syndrome tends to be on the lower side. High blood pressure (hypertension) is much less common in people with Down syndrome. Blood pressures

Connective Tissue and Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Connective tissue is the tissue that helps hold our bodies together. Connective tissue is different in people with Down syndrome compared to others. People with Down syndrome have

Promoting Mental Health Throughout the Lifespan Webinar Recording (2/21/2024)

Author: Abby Rowley, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Title: Promoting Mental Health Throughout the Lifespan for Individuals with Down Syndrome Date: February 21, 2024 Presenter: Abby Rowley, LCSW Host Organization: &nbs

Tremors in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Tremors are repetitive involuntary movements. Tremors can be mild and cause limited disruption or more severe and restricting. There are many causes for tremors. An evaluation by a health p

Temperature Regulation in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points How the body manages (regulates) body temperature is different in people with Down syndrome compared to people without Down syndrome. The difference in body temperature regulation

Pain in People with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points People with Down syndrome experience pain but some individuals report it less often than people without Down syndrome. There are a variety of reasons why people with Down syndrome may repor

Changes in Gait (Ambulation, Walking)

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points A change in gait (walking) is a change seen in many people with Down syndrome. There are many possible causes for those changes. Family or other observers can play a critical role in assess

Menopause Visuals

Author: Katie Frank, PhD, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist, Adult Down Syndrome Center

The visuals linked below describe menopause and symptoms of menopause that women may experience. There are versions for lighter and darker skin. All menopause visuals Darker skin Lighter skin &nbs

Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Screening for Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Breast cancer is less common in women with Down syndrome compared to women without Down syndrome. Currently, the recommendations for breast cancer screening are the same for women with and

Dysgerminomas in Women with Down Syndrome

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points A dysgerminoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in a woman's ovary. There is limited research on dysgerminomas in women with Down syndrome. It is not clear if dysgerminomas a

Common Mental Health Disorders and Cognitive Decline in a Longitudinal Down Syndrome Cohort

Author: Idris et al. - BJPsych Open (2023)

Abstract Background: Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability and Alzheimer's disease. In the general population, common mental disorders (CMDs), inc

Cardiovascular Youth for Life: Prevalence of Acquired Cardiovascular Diseases in the Adult Population with Down Syndrome

Author: Wang et al. - The American Journal of Cardiology (2023)

The article linked below is a brief report on the prevalence of acquired cardiovascular diseases and risk factor conditions in adults with Down syndrome. Keywords: cardiovascular a

Psychotherapy for Individuals with Down Syndrome

Author: Abby Rowley, LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Key Points Some people with Down syndrome benefit from psychotherapy. Therapists work with individuals with a variety of skills, needs, and goals. Psychotherapy is often one part of a treatment plan t

Behavior Change

Author: Brian Chicoine, MD - Medical Director, Adult Down Syndrome Center

Any and all behavior change should be viewed as a possible communication tool. For some people with Down syndrome (DS), like some without DS, a behavior change may be a form of communication. This is

Chronic Cough in Adults with Down Syndrome

Author: Ravi Shah, MD and Brian Chicoine, MD - Family Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Key Points Chronic cough is a cough that lasts more than eight weeks (four weeks in a child). There are many reasons for a chronic cough. Three common causes in people with Down syndrome (DS) include

Regression in Persons with Down Syndrome

Author: Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group - USA - Current Consensus Update for Families

Regression in Persons with Down Syndrome: Current Consensus Update for Families The Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group - USA (DSMIG-USA) developed a consensus update for families on Down

Immunotherapy Responsiveness and Risk of Relapse in Down Syndrome Regression Disorder

Author: Santoro et al. - Translational Psychiatry (2023)

Abstract Down syndrome regression disorder (DSRD) is a clinical symptom cluster consisting of neuropsychiatric regression without an identifiable cause. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness