Down Syndrome Program
The Mass General Hospital Down Syndrome Program provides state-of-the-art care by a multidisciplinary team of providers for people with Down syndrome of all ages.
- 617-643-8912
- Request an Appointment
- Reach us through Patient Gateway
Meet the Team
On the day of your clinic, you will not see all of the doctors listed below but the appropriate ones for your age range.
Clinical Co-Directors
Other Physicians
Program Coordinator
Self-Advocate Resource Specialist
Social Worker
Nutritionist
Pediatric Therapy Team
Psychologist
Additionally, we can facilitate referrals for other services, including Cardiology, Opthalmology, Dentistry, and others.
Outpatient Care of Patients with Down Syndrome FOR MED STUDENTS
Directed by Down Syndrome Program co-director Alison Schwartz, MD, this Harvard Medical School course is intended to provide advanced medical students with an exposure to the care of patients with Down syndrome across the age spectrum. People with Down syndrome typically have a number of health needs that arise from their chromosomal condition, which alters the screening tests and milestones that must be considered in the course of a regular clinic visit. Learn moreDown Syndrome Research Opportunities
All current patients in the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital are invited to participate in a research project to build a national registry to track the health and medical history of people with Down syndrome across their lives. Health information will be collected from existing and future medical records, so there are no extra study visits or procedures. This Down Syndrome Patient Registry is taking place at Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as other centers specializing in Down syndrome clinical care and research. For more information, please contact the healthcare staff at our Down Syndrome Program.
Registry Consent Form (pdf)
The Mass General Hospital Down Syndrome Program integrates state-of-the-art resources with compassionate, comprehensive care through a multi-disciplinary approach. National experts from Massachusetts General Hospital, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary are ready to help your family member with any medical issue that may occur.
Our Down Syndrome Program has five distinct clinical services to ensure that people with Down syndrome receive the specialty care that is specific for their age group:
- Prenatal Services We offer consultations in a private setting for expectant parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
- Infant and Toddler Clinic (ages birth-5) Families will be educated about Down syndrome and comprehensive supports will be provided for their child’s early needs.
- Child Clinic (ages 5-13) The healthcare of children will be maximized so that they can achieve successes during school-aged years.
- Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic (ages 13-21) Families and youth will be supported and educated about transition planning. The goal is for your child to be prepared for adulthood and as engaged in their care as possible.
- Adult Clinic (ages 21 and older) Adults will be supported to lead healthy lives marked by meaningful engagements with their communities.
What will the appointment entail?
Each specific age group will have specialists available for that day that will meet the unique health care needs of individuals with Down syndrome for that specific age group.
How to Request an Appointment
To request an appointment, please first complete an intake form.
Click here to view our team's special interests in Down syndrome (pdf)
Team Members and Program Overview
Download our program overview and information about our team members in PDF format:
Specialists at the Massachusetts General Hospital Down Syndrome Program evaluate and treat children with the following conditions:
- Down syndrome
- Trisomy 21
- Mosaic Down Syndrome
- Translocation Down Syndrome
As part of our comprehensive evaluation, our specialists also evaluate for many other medical conditions that occur in a higher frequency in people with Down syndrome, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Alzheimer's disease
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Celiac disease
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Dysphagia
- Gastroesophageal reflux heartburn
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- Hyperthryoidism
- Hypothryoidism
- Leukemia
- Obesity
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Seasonal allergies
- Sinusitis
- Sleep apnea
- Transient myeloproliferative disorder (PDF)
Non-Profit Down Syndrome Organizations
- The ARC Massachusetts
- Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action
- Down Syndrome International
- Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation
- Global Down Syndrome Foundation
- Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC)
- National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC)
- National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)
- Research Down Syndrome
Other Disability Organizations
- Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
- Federation for Children with Special Needs
- Woodbine House
Healthcare Guidelines
Please visit the National Down Syndrome Societywebsite for information regarding the healthcare guidelines for individuals with Down syndrome.
New & Expectant Parents
- Diagnosis to Delivery: A Pregnant Mother's Guide to Down Syndrome for those parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and have decided to continue their pregnancy.
- Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress has resources available for new and expectant parents, as well as contact information for the MDSC’s First Call Program
- National Down Syndrome Society has resources available for new and expectant parents and accurate information available about the basics of Down syndrome
- "Understanding a Down Syndrome Diagnosis" for those parents who have received a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome and have not yet made a decision about their pregnancy.
Blood Tests in Children With Down Syndrome (PDF)
Problems with blood in children with Down syndrome are rare. It is important to understand these conditions though. Read this document to learn more about reasons and ways to check your child’s blood.
Abnormal Blood Tests in Children With Down Syndrome (PDF)
Problems with blood in children with Down syndrome are rare. It is important to understand these conditions though. Read this document to learn more about reasons and ways to check your child’s blood.
Helpful Information for Breastfeeding Your Baby With Down Syndrome
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! It is wonderful that you have decided to breastfeed and provide your baby with such a special gift.
Translocation Down Syndrome (PDF)
Commonly asked questions and answers for parents about Translocation Down Syndrome.
Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome (PDF)
Commonly asked questions and answers for parents about Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome.
Mosaic Down Syndrome (PDF)
Commonly asked questions and answers for parents about Mosaic Down Syndrome.
Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome (PDF)
Hearing loss is common in children with Down syndrome and can affect your child's development. Read this handout to learn the different types of hearing loss and how we screen for hearing loss.
MGH and MGfC launch new Down syndrome program
The MGH and MassGeneral Hospital for Children have launched one of the only comprehensive adult and pediatric Down syndrome programs in the nation.
Ben Majewski Inspires Down Syndrome Clinics
Ben Majewski, Resource Specialist in the MassGeneral Hospital Down Syndrome Program, tells clinical leaders at a national conference that they should hire a person with Down syndrome.
Ben Majewski: Una vida intensa y plena
Profile of Ben Majewski, Self-Advocate Resource Specialist at the Mass General Down Syndrome Program, in the journal "Sindrome de Down: Vida Adulta," from the Fundación Iberoamericana Down 21 in Madrid, Spain. Article is in Spanish.
Loring School Little Buddy Challenge
SudburyPatch article includes mention of the Mass General Down Syndrome Program and Dr. Brian Skotko.
Down Syndrome: One Family's Decision
From WCVB-TV, Ch. 5, segment quotes MGHfC physician Brian Skotko, MD, MPP.
Earlier, Easier Down Syndrome Test
From WCVB-TV, Ch. 5, segment quotes MGHfC physician Brian Skotko, MD, MPP.
Will New Mass. Law Discourage Women from Aborting Fetuses with Down Syndrome?
From Time Magazine, article quotes MGHfC physician Brian Skotko, MD, MPP.
Interview: Dr. Brian Skotko
New numbers show about 4,700 babies are born each year with Down Syndrome. That's down according to Down Syndrome Education USA.
Doctors Finding it Easier to Diagnose Down Syndrome
Interview with Dr. Brian Skotko, co-director of the Mass General Down Syndrome Program on FOX25 News.
With Down syndrome diagnoses comes a wrenching choice
As prenatal tests proliferate and come earlier, more couples are arriving at a medical crossroads.
Life with Down syndrome is full of possibilities
The lives of the 250,000 Americans with Down syndrome today are radically different than a generation ago.
Grand Rounds: Down Syndrome
MassGeneral Hospital for Children Grand Rounds are presented every Tuesday morning at 8:00 am in the O'Keeffe Auditorium.
Keeping Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome Healthy: Medical Updates for Physicians
Grand Rounds presentation by Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, Co-Director of the Down Syndrome Program October 9th, 2012.
Lost in Transition
Grand Rounds presentation by Alison T. Schwartz, MD, Director of the Transitions Program at Mass General, May 7th, 2013.
Blood Tests in Children With Down Syndrome (PDF)
Problems with blood in children with Down syndrome are rare. It is important to understand these conditions though. Read this document to learn more about reasons and ways to check your child’s blood.
Abnormal Blood Tests in Children With Down Syndrome (PDF)
Problems with blood in children with Down syndrome are rare. It is important to understand these conditions though. Read this document to learn more about reasons and ways to check your child’s blood.
Helpful Information for Breastfeeding Your Baby With Down Syndrome
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! It is wonderful that you have decided to breastfeed and provide your baby with such a special gift.
Translocation Down Syndrome (PDF)
Commonly asked questions and answers for parents about Translocation Down Syndrome.
Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome (PDF)
Commonly asked questions and answers for parents about Trisomy 21 Down Syndrome.
Mosaic Down Syndrome (PDF)
Commonly asked questions and answers for parents about Mosaic Down Syndrome.
Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome (PDF)
Hearing loss is common in children with Down syndrome and can affect your child's development. Read this handout to learn the different types of hearing loss and how we screen for hearing loss.
Down Syndrome Program
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Suite 6C55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-643-8912
Email: DownSyndrome@partners.org
Public Transportation Access: yes
Disabled Access: yes
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