Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality caused by an additional (third) chromosome 21 or “trisomy 21.” Down syndrome is associated with mental retardation, a characteristic facial appearance, and poor muscle tone (hypotonia).
This occurs in approximately 1 in every 900 births. Down syndrome is not inherited; it does not “run in families.”
John Langdon Down, while working as the superintendent of the Earlswood Asylum for mentaly retarded, published the first clinical description of the syndrome around 140 years ago.
Some people with Down’s syndrome experience very few health problems as a result of their condition. However, others can be more severely affected and require extra medical care and attention.
Hearing problems
Approximately 50% of people with Down’s syndrome experience problems with their ears – hearing, more of a conductive hearing loss because of the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear.
Glue ear is a common condition for people with Down’s syndrome. It is caused by a build up of fluid in the middle ear. In some cases, the fluid thickens, making sounds appear muffled and distorted.
If your child cannot hear clearly, this may mean they find it more difficult to learn, or to interact with other children.
The reason for having glue ear is because these children have narrow and short Eustachian tube.
The external auditory canal makes any surgical procedure difficult.
The treatment is myringotomy, aspiration of glue (thick secretion) with or with out grommet insertion.
Some advocates not putting grommet as the side effects of keeping the grommet in situ.
Adenoid if enlarged can be removed same time.
The grommet is left in situ until it extrudes by itself. Avoid water getting in the ear while bathing and swimming.
