Pediatric Edwards Syndrome
What is Edwards Syndrome?
Edwards syndrome (also called Trisomy 18) is a rare genetic condition in which a baby has three copies of chromosome 18 instead of the usual two. This extra chromosome affects development before birth and can cause severe physical and intellectual disabilities.
Pediatric Signs & Symptoms
Before Birth: Doctors may notice:
- Slow growth during pregnancy
- Low amniotic fluid
- Heart abnormalities on ultrasound
- Reduced fetal movement
- A single umbilical artery (instead of the usual two)
- Clenched hands that may be visible on ultrasound
At Birth: Common signs include:
- Low birth weight
- Difficulty feeding and sucking
- Weak cry
- Low muscle tone or, sometimes, increased muscle stiffness
- Breathing difficulties
- Small head (microcephaly)
- Small jaw (micrognathia)
- Low-set or unusually shaped ears
- Prominent back of the head
- Short breastbone (sternum)
Hands and Feet: Some of the most recognizable features are:
- Clenched fists with overlapping fingers
- Limited ability to fully open the hands
- Rocker-bottom feet (rounded soles with prominent heels)
- Curved or underdeveloped toes
Symptoms in Children
Children who survive infancy often experience:
- Significant developmental delays
- Intellectual disability
- Delayed or absent speech
- Difficulty sitting, crawling, or walking
- Feeding challenges that may require specialized support
- Slow growth and short stature
- Recurrent respiratory infections
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
- Vision or hearing problems
- Seizures in some children
Medical Conditions Commonly Seen
Many children with Edwards syndrome also have:
- Congenital heart defects
- Kidney abnormalities
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Breathing disorders, including sleep-related breathing issues
- Frequent infections due to medical complexity
How Therapy Smarts Supports Children with Edwards Syndrome
A healthcare provider may recommend genetic testing if a baby has:
- Multiple congenital differences affecting several body systems
- Poor feeding and poor weight gain
- Characteristic hand or foot features
- A congenital heart defect along with other physical findings
- Significant developmental delays without another clear cause
How Therapy Smarts Can Help
Speech Therapy
Our speech-language pathologists help children:
- Improve feeding and swallowing skills when it is safe and appropriate.
- Develop early communication through gestures, signs, picture communication, or speech-generating devices.
- Strengthen oral motor skills.
- Encourage social interaction and engagement with family members and caregivers.
Occupational Therapy
Our occupational therapists focus on helping children:
- Build fine motor skills for reaching, grasping, and play.
- Improve sensory regulation and participation in everyday activities.
- Increase independence with self-care skills as development allows.
- Recommend adaptive equipment and positioning strategies to support comfort and function.
Physical Therapy
Our physical therapists work with children to:
- Improve strength, balance, and coordination.
- Support head and trunk control.
- Encourage mobility through rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, or walking based on each child’s abilities.
- Help prevent joint tightness and promote safe movement patterns.
Mental Health & Family Support
Caring for a child with complex medical needs can be emotionally demanding. Therapy Smarts offers mental health services to support parents, caregivers, and siblings as they navigate diagnoses, transitions, and everyday challenges with confidence and resilience.
Wondering About Developmental Milestones?
Have questions about your child’s development, or wondering if a certain diagnosis may be a fit? Try out our developmental screening tool— it’s a fast, free way to get a snapshot of your child’s progress on his or her developmental milestones.
Ready to Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential?
At Therapy Smarts, we don’t believe in a “wait and see” approach. We believe in early, expert intervention that gives your child the tools they need to thrive. Whether you are looking for specialized Down Syndrome support or a comprehensive developmental evaluation, our award-winning team in Durham and Chapel Hill is ready to partner with your family.
Two Easy Ways to Begin:
Contact Us Directly: Ready to schedule? Call us at 919-378-1340.
Fill out our Online Inquiry Form to speak with a member of our intake team.
Don’t navigate this journey alone—let’s unlock your child’s possibilities together