MedicineNet

Down Syndrome Related Diseases & Conditions

Medical conditions are often related to other diseases and conditions. Our doctors have compiled a list of ailments related to the topic of Down Syndrome. These conditions may be a cause or symptom of Down Syndrome or be a condition for which you may be at increased risk.

  • Leukemia Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood cells in which the growth and development of the blood cells are abnormal. Strictly...learn more »
    In This Article
    Leukemia Article
    • Leukemia facts
    • What is leukemia?
    • What are the types of leukemia?
    • Who is at risk for leukemia?
    • What are symptoms of leukemia?
    • How is leukemia diagnosed?
    • How is leukemia treated?
    • How does someone get a second opinion about leukemia treatment?
    • What happens after treatment for leukemia?
    • What research is being done for leukemia?
    • What resources are available to patients with leukemia?
  • Dementia Dementia is a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social or...learn more »
    In This Article
    Dementia Article
    • Dementia facts*
    • Introduction to dementia
    • What is dementia?
    • What are the different kinds of dementia?
    • Alzheimer's disease
    • Vascular dementia
    • Lewy body dementia
    • Frontotemporal dementia
    • HIV-associated dementia
    • Huntington's disease
    • Dementia pugilistica
    • Corticobasal degeneration
    • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
    • Other rare hereditary dementias
    • Secondary dementias
    • Dementias in children
    • What other conditions can cause dementia?
    • What conditions are not dementia?
    • What causes dementia?
    • What are the risk factors for dementia?
    • How is dementia diagnosed?
    • Is there any treatment for dementia?
    • Can dementia be prevented?
    • What kind of care does a person with dementia need?
    • What research is being done?
    • How can I help research?
    • Where can I get more information?
  • Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) The Eustachian tube is a membrane lined tube that connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose. Problems include partial...learn more »
    In This Article
    Eustachian Tube Problems (Problems Clearing Your Ears) Article
    • What is the Eustachian tube?
    • What are the functions of the Eustachian tube
    • What can cause Eustachian tube blockage?
    • How do altitude changes or air travel affect Eustachian tube problems?
    • How is Eustachian tube blockage treated?
    • Eustachian Tube Problems At A Glance
  • Fragile X Syndrome Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited form of mental retardation. It's caused by a mutation on the X chromosome. People...learn more »
    In This Article
    Fragile X Syndrome Article
    • What is Fragile X syndrome?
    • What causes Fragile X syndrome?
      • What keeps the FMR1 gene from producing FMRP in Fragile X syndrome?
  • Turner Syndrome Turner syndrome is an inherited chromosomal condition affecting women. Women with Turner syndrome do not have ovarian function,...learn more »
    In This Article
    Turner Syndrome Article
    • What is Turner syndrome?
    • What are the symptoms of Turner syndrome?
    • How is Turner syndrome diagnosed?
    • What is the treatment for Turner syndrome?
    • Is Turner syndrome inherited?
  • Genetic Disease Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include...learn more »
    In This Article
    Genetic Disease Article
    • What is a genetic disease?
    • What are the different types of inheritance?
    • Single gene inheritance
    • Multifactorial inheritance
    • Chromosome abnormalities
    • Mitochondrial inheritance
    • What is the human genome?
  • Klinefelter Syndrome Klinefelter syndrome, also referred to as XXY condition, is a genetic disease. Klinefelter syndrome affects mostly males....learn more »
    In This Article
    Klinefelter Syndrome Article
    • What is Klinefelter syndrome?
    • What are the symptoms of the XXY condition?
    • Physical development
    • Language development
    • Social development
    • What are the treatments for the XXY condition?
  • Microcephaly Microcephaly is a genetic condition where the circumference of the head is smaller than normal due to underdeveloped brain....learn more »
    In This Article
    Microcephaly Article
    • What is microcephaly?
    • What causes microcephaly?
    • What are the signs and symptoms of microcephaly?
    • Is there any treatment for microcephaly?
    • What is the prognosis for microcephaly?
    • What research is being done on microcephaly?
    • For more information
  • Spina Bifida and Anencephaly (Neural Tube Defects) Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect in the United States. There are four types of spina bifida; 1) occulta, 2)...learn more »
    In This Article
    Spina Bifida and Anencephaly (Neural Tube Defects) Article
    • Introduction to spina bifida
    • What is spina bifida?
    • What are the different types of spina bifida?
    • What causes spina bifida?
    • What are the signs and symptoms of spina bifida?
    • What are the complications of spina bifida?
    • How is spina bifida diagnosed?
    • How is spina bifida treated?
    • Can spina bifida be prevented?
    • What is the prognosis for spina bifida?
    • What research is being done on spina bifida?
    • Where can I get more information?
  • Hirschsprung's Disease Hirschsprung's disease (Hirschsprung), is a disease of the nerve cells of of the large intestine. The primary symptom of...learn more »
    In This Article
    Hirschsprung's Disease Article
    • What is Hirschsprung's disease?
    • Why does Hirschsprung's disease cause constipation?
    • What causes Hirschsprung's disease?
    • If I have more children, will they have Hirschsprung's disease too?
    • What are the symptoms of Hirschsprung's disease??
    • How does the doctor find out if Hirschsprung's disease is the problem?
    • What is the treatment for Hirschsprung's disease??
    • What will my child's life be like after surgery?
    • Hirschsprung's Disease At A Glance
  • Congenital Heart Defects Congenital heart defects are heart problems that are present at birth. Genetics may play a role in some heart defects. Symptoms...learn more »
    In This Article
    Congenital Heart Defects Article
    • What are congenital heart defects?
    • How the heart works
    • What are the types of congenital heart defects?
    • What are other names for congenital heart defects?
    • What causes congenital heart defects?
    • What are the signs and symptoms and signs of congenital heart defects?
    • How are congential heart defects diagnosed??
    • How are congenital heart defects treated?
    • Living with a congenital heart defect
    • Congenital Heart Disease At A Glance
  • Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common type of cancer in children. Symptoms and signs include fever, easy...learn more »
    In This Article
    Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Article
    • What is childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • What are causes and risk factors for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • What are symptoms and signs of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • How is childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) diagnosed?
    • What is the prognosis for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • What are the stages of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • What is recurrent childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • What is the treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
    • What treatments are being tested in clinical trials?
    • What is the treatment for recurrent childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)?
  • Pregnancy Planning Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and...learn more »
    In This Article
    Pregnancy Planning Article
    • Pregnancy Planning Facts
    • What is pregnancy planning and why is it important?
    • What are pregnancy symptoms?
    • What is a pregnancy calculator and calendar?
    • Who effective are home pregnancy tests?
    • How can diet and nutrition affect early pregnancy?
    • How does alcohol affect pregnancy?
    • How do high blood pressure and diabetes affect pregnancy?
    • What are examples of commonly-used medications that are dangerous in pregnancy?
    • How do kidney and heart disease affect pregnancy?
    • What infections affect pregnancy?
    • What inherited (genetic) diseases can play a role in pregnancy planning?
    • Is it safe to exercise during pregnancy?
    • Can I travel by air during pregnancy?
    • Can I have intercourse during pregnancy?
    • How soon after stopping birth control can I become pregnant?
    • How do we maximize our chances of becoming pregnant?
    • Can I do something to help my chances of conceiving a boy or a girl?
  • Noonan Syndrome Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes birth defects (congenital malformations) such as short stature, caved-in...learn more »
    In This Article
    Noonan Syndrome Article
    • What is Noonan syndrome and what are the signs and symptoms of this condition?
    • How common is Noonan syndrome?
    • What genes are related to Noonan syndrome?
    • How do people inherit Noonan syndrome?
    • Where can I find information about treatment for Noonan syndrome?
    • What other names do people use for Noonan syndrome?
  • Trisomy 18 Trisomy 18 is an chromosomal condition that causes severe birth defects in newborns. Many babies born with trisomy 18 do not live...learn more »
    In This Article
    Trisomy 18 Article
    • Trisomy 18 facts
    • What is trisomy 18?
    • What are the chromosome basics of trisomy 18?
    • What are the characteristic signs and symptoms of trisomy 18?
    • How common is trisomy 18?
    • How is trisomy 18 diagnosed?
    • Can people with trisomy 18 survive to adulthood?
    • Is there any treatment for trisomy 18?
  • Genetic Counseling Your health care provider may refer you to a genetic professional. Universities and medical centers also often have affiliated...learn more »
    In This Article
    Genetic Counseling Article
    • What are genetic professionals and what do they do?
    • What is genetic counseling and evaluation?
    • How do I find a genetic professional?
    • How do I decide whether I need to see a geneticist or other specialist?