Complications

In addition to the features mentioned under clinical features and associations, there are a number of conditions which can develop in later life, including:

• recurrent upper respiratory tract infection
• hypothyroidism (2)
  • patients with Down's syndrome have a higher prevalence ofautoimmune thyroid disease compared with the general population,with thyroid autoantibodies being found in 13-34% of patients with Down's syndrome
  • patients may develop hypothyroidism inchildhood or adulthood. Check TSH annually in adult patients with Down's syndrom
• acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
• the risk of solid tumours is reduced

Reference:

• 1) Hasle, H, Clemmensen, IH, Mikkelsen, M. (2000). Risks of leukaemia and solid tumours in individuals with Down's syndrome. Lancet, 355, 165-9.
• 2) Siskind SM et al. Investigating hypothyroidism. BMJ2021;373:n993http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n993