Sixty to Eighty percent of children with DS have hearing deficits. Forty to forty-five percent of the children have congenital heart disease. Many have to undergo surgery. Intestinal abnormalities is common. Eye problems are at a higher incidence in children with Down Syndrome.
Nutrition can be a problem as well.
In the infant with a heart defect, failure to thrive can be a problem. In adolescence and adulthood obesity often occurs. There are often thyroid dysfunctions. Skeletal problems often plague individuals with Down Syndrome. Loose ligaments and hip dislocation happen frequently.