Growth in people with Down syndrome
From the moment a new baby is born, we watch the baby's progress eagerly, anticipating every inch of growth and developmental milestone along the way.
In infancy many children with Down syndrome may not regain their birth weight until around 1 month. This early failure to thrive is usually due to feeding difficulties many of which resolve after the first few weeks.
The first year of life is a time of great change when a baby will grow rapidly.
After age 1 year, a baby's growth in length slows considerably, and by 2 years, growth in height usually continues at a fairly steady rate per year until adolescence.
Average adult height: Boys - 157 cm (5'1") Girls - 146 cm (4'9")
- Reduced height is a recognised characteristic of most people with Down syndrome with their average height 2 centiles below the general population. For the majority the cause of reduced growth is not known.
- Some treatable conditions which may lead to poor growth - congenital heart disease ; thyroid hormone deficiency; sleep related upper airway obstruction; coeliac disease and nutritional inadequacy due to feeding problems occur more frequently among children with Down syndrome.
- Overweight is now recognised in children with Down syndrome as early as 7 years of age with obesity becoming more common by 10 years of age.
- Being overweight is not inevitable in people with Down syndrome. Research suggests that children with Down syndrome have a lower basal metabolic rate (BMR) than their same aged peers.
- Overweight and obesity carry increased risks of additional health problems including diabetes, raised cholesterol and heart problems. It is important for children, adolescents and adults with Down syndrome to have a supportive environment for healthy living and weight management.....read more..Link to article by Joan Murphy 2008 and book by Joan Medlen