Breastfeeding And Babies With Down Syndrome

It is sometimes said that Down syndrome can be a barrier to breastfeeding, but breastfeeding a baby with this syndrome can actually bring several important benefits to the baby.

Down syndrome is a genetic change that results from an extra chromosome in chromosome pair number 21. Therefore, this chromosome aberration is also known as trisomy 21. Chromosomes are the part of our genome that contains genetic material. Down syndrome is the leading cause of intellectual disability and is the most common genetic change among humans. It affects, among other things, the development of the brain and organs.

The condition involves changes in the heart and digestion, and the reason for this genetic abnormality is still unknown. However, there are certain factors that increase the likelihood of a child being born with Down syndrome, such as:

• Maternal age: Older women are at higher risk of having children with Down syndrome
• Having a child before with the same syndrome
• When one of the parents has the same genetic abnormality

If a doctor diagnoses the syndrome early, you can choose to terminate the pregnancy or continue. Parents must make sure they are well-informed in order to make an informed, voluntary and conscious decision in every conceivable way. In addition, it is important that they can count on the support and respect of healthcare professionals no matter what they decide.

In the United States , life expectancy for people with Down syndrome is about 60 years. This age has increased since 1983 when it was only 25 years old. It was after that that the inhuman institutionalization of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities ceased.

Early detection of Down syndrome

During a pregnant woman’s first trimester, she may undergo various tests to detect this chromosomal abnormality. The tests provide statistical information about the risks of the baby being born with Down syndrome.

These tests may also provide indications of the likelihood of a child being born with Edward’s syndrome (trisomy 18) or Patau’s syndrome (trisomy 13). The risk is calculated by taking into account the following factors:

• Mother’s age
• Some markers obtained from ultrasound during the first trimester
• Biochemical levels in the mother’s blood during the first blood test during pregnancy

The biochemical levels that the test looks at must be obtained during specific weeks of pregnancy – usually around week 9 or 10 – to obtain the free fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin (B-hCG) and the values ​​for pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A).

The ultrasound must take place between 11 weeks and 2 days into the pregnancy and up to 13 weeks and 6 days. The marker that ultrasound technicians measure that helps evaluate the risk is neck clearance. This is because fetuses with Down syndrome have a greater amount of fluid in this space.

Further studies for early detection

If specialists believe that the risk is high, depending on the risk and available services, the mother will have the opportunity for non-invasive prenatal testing or a so-called amniocentesis.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) consists of a genetic test that enables the analysis of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. It is about studying a blood sample from the mother and looking at the fetal DNA. NITP tests can be performed already in pregnancy week 9-10.

Amniocentesis is done by taking a sample of the amniotic fluid to look for abnormal fetal chromosomes. Doctors puncture the abdomen to access the sample. Therefore, it is an invasive measure, which unfortunately involves a small risk of miscarriage.

Breastfeeding an Infant with Down Syndrome

Newborns with Down syndrome have three characteristics that can make breastfeeding a little more challenging:

• Glossoptosis : Protruding or distortion of the tongue
• Macroglossia : Abnormal enlargement of the tongue in proportion to other structures in the mouth
• Hypotonus : Low muscle tone, often with decreased muscle strength

Breastfeeding helps to improve the coordination and control of the tongue in infants with Down syndrome. This results in fewer speech problems and also strengthens orofacial muscles and the jaw. It also provides additional stimulation that affects the child positively.

Therefore, there is no reason to consider Down syndrome as an obstacle to breastfeeding your baby. On the contrary, breastfeeding offers a number of benefits to your baby that you should take advantage of.