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Warning-sign checks

Trisomy 13 syndrome: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency help if your baby or child:

    • Is struggling to breathe, has a sudden major change in breathing, or stops breathing
    • Becomes blue, grey, or unusually pale
    • Is unresponsive or much harder to wake than usual
    • Has a prolonged seizure or repeated seizures outside their care plan
    • Has severe choking or a suspected blocked airway

    If your child has an agreed emergency or palliative care plan, follow it and contact the named service.

    If you are unsure and the situation appears life-threatening, call emergency services.

    Contact the child's healthcare team promptly for new feeding difficulty, repeated vomiting, fewer wet nappies, increasing sleepiness, worsening seizures, fever, signs of pain, or a change in breathing that is not immediately life-threatening.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine appointments are the right place to discuss growth, equipment, therapies, sleep, constipation, hearing, vision, or changes to long-term care goals.

    Arrange timely follow-up with your maternity team to discuss diagnostic testing and specialist assessment.

The article also says

During pregnancy, a high-chance screening result is not usually an emergency.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Trisomy 13 syndrome. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.