Diet Plan for Down Syndrome

Our bodies are made up of trillions of cells. In each cell, there are tiny structures called chromosomes. The DNA in our chromosomes determines how we develop. Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes in each of their cells (46 in total). But few of us have an extra copy and this condition was first described in 1866 by British physician John Langdon Down thus named DOWN SYNDROME. People with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes in their cells. They have an extra chromosome 21, which is also known as TRISOMY 21. It is a rare condition where extra copy changes how the body and brain develop, which can cause both mental and physical challenges for the baby.

Everyone who has Down syndrome will have some level of intellectual disability. There will be some delay in development and some level of learning difficulty. Every person with Down syndrome is different and has different skills and needs for support.

Some common physical features of Down syndrome include:

They often appear early in development when there are obvious delays in language skills and social interactions. Your doctor may recommend developmental tests to identify if your child has delays in cognitive, language, and social skills, if your child:

• A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose
• Almond-shaped eyes that slant up
• A short neck
• Small ears
• A tongue that tends to stick out of the mouth
• Tiny white spots on the iris (colored part) of the eye
• Small hands and feet
• A single line across the palm of the hand (palmar crease)
• Small pinky fingers that sometimes curve toward the thumb
• Poor muscle tone or loose joints
• Shorter in height as children and adults

Down syndrome patients may have health issues such as Obesity, Type 1 diabetes, thyroid, heart-related, or gastric issues.

Although there is no perfect cure available for DOWN SYNDROME, the condition can be managed or the patient’s life can be much improved with dietary care.

Primarily the food that would help the patient to maintain a healthy weight shall be encouraged.

Include a range of fiber-rich foods in the diet such as fruit, vegetables, pulses, wholegrain cereals, and whole-meal bread. Encourage regular activity where possible to stimulate the bowel and strengthen the stomach muscles.

At Nutrishilp, we provide customized diet charts to cater to specific individuals’ health. Every person with Down syndrome is an individual. Just like everyone else they will have different things they are good at and other things that they find harder.

Feel free to connect with Team Nutrishilp for any emotional counselling, dietry and nutritional support to cope up with The Down Syndrome.