Most children with Down’s syndrome have unique physiological and behavioural differences that can make it more difficult to assess how unwell they really are. This can lead to a risk of diagnostic overshadowing, where a person’s underlying condition influences a clinician’s judgment, potentially delaying or preventing the right diagnosis and treatment.

Healthcare professionals often rely on scoring systems and standard checklists of signs and symptoms to assess illness. However, these tools may not always be effective for children with Down’s syndrome, whose presentations can be atypical or subtle, making clinical awareness and parental insight especially important.

This practical, easy-to-read guide created by Dr Elizabeth Herrieven (Emergency Medicine Consultant and parent) and Dr Linda Dykes (Emergency Medicine Consultant & GP) offers essential top tips for triaging and treating children with Down’s syndrome.

Covering clinical and communication challenges, from recognising atypical signs of infection to supporting sensory and behavioural needs , this resource helps health professionals provide safer and more responsive care.

The key focus of Shahid’s research team is tracking the early markers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in people with Down’s syndrome. Identifying these changes as early as possible is crucial for developing better interventions and ensuring that individuals can live longer, healthier lives.

For more information about the study and how to join it can found here

A guide to the initial care for a newborn baby with a diagnosis of Down’s syndrome. It is intended for use by all health professionals involved in the care of babies with Down’s syndrome across Scotland. This publication has been developed in collaboration between the NHS community throughout Scotland and Down’s syndrome Scotland.