Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)

Down syndrome is a lifelong chromosomal condition, but the bedside risks change with age. For an RN, the diagnosis should trigger a surveillance plan: establish whether structural heart disease is present, protect feeding and breathing, track thyroid, hearing, vision, and growth, and connect the child with developmental services. A reassuring appearance or absent murmur does not replace scheduled screening; several important complications may be silent until targeted testing identifies them.