Your pediatrician is often the first to suspect the diagnosis of Down syndrome in a newborn. The diagnosis is usually considered when a baby has certain physical findings, facial features, and possibly other birth defects.
This step-by-step guide will explain what your pediatrician is looking for, and what tests are necessary to diagnose Down syndrome in a newborn baby.
It is important to remember that while there are some similar findings that lead to a diagnosis of Down syndrome, no single baby with Down syndrome will have all of the features described here. Nor does the number of physical problems in a baby with Down syndrome correlate with their intellectual capacity. Each and every child with Down syndrome has their own unique personality and strengths.
