مولود لديه متلازمة داون. لماذا يُطلب له صدى القلب حتى لو كان يبدو بخير؟

Why is an echocardiogram ordered for a newborn with Down syndrome even if he seems well?

1. Heart defects are common, especially AV septal defect
2. The echo grades the degree of intellectual disability
3. Every child with Down syndrome has heart failure at birth
4. It is routine for every newborn without any exception

Answer: A) Heart defects are common, especially AV septal defect. About half of children with Down syndrome have a congenital heart defect, most commonly AVSD. It may be silent at first, and early diagnosis prevents pulmonary hypertension.