Noonan syndrome
There is no single treatment for Noonan syndrome, but it's possible to treatmany aspects of the disorder.
Your child may initially need quite a lot of treatment and support to help manage the various problems they have. However, they'll typically need much less care as they get older.
Although they'll probably need to have someroutinetests and checks to monitor their condition, most adults with Noonan syndrome can lead a normal life.
A full assessment ofyour child's heartfunction should be carried out whenNoonan syndrome is diagnosed. This will help to determine if they have any type of Congenital heart .
The treatment your childneeds will depend on the type of heart defect they have and how severe it is.
Regular tests to check heart function will normally be carried out into adulthood.
If your childs growth rate is thought to be seriously reduced,treatment withhuman growth hormone may be suggested.
Treatment usuallystarts at around four or five years of age and continues until your child stops growing. A medication called somatropin is most often used. This is givenas a singledaily injection.
Side effects of somatropin are uncommon, although your child is likely to experience some temporary soreness, itchiness and redness at the site of the injection.
They may be referred to a speech therapist for help and support.
The speech therapist will help your child develop the muscles in their mouth andtry to teach them how to use their muscles more effectively.
In particularly severe cases of poor feeding, your baby may need afeeding tube for a few months.
If you have a baby boy with an undescended testicle or testicles that don't descend naturally within a few months of birth, corrective surgeryis usually recommended.
This is normally carried out before two years of age, because treating the problem early on should increase the chances of fertility being unaffected.
A surgical procedure known as an orchidopexy is the usual treatment forundescended testicles. It involves making a smallcut in your childs tummy or groin and moving the testicle(s) into the correct position.
However, children with more severe disabilities may benefit from attending a specialist school.
To ensure your child gets the support they need, an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan may need to be drawn up. This is a type of care plan designed to meet the childs health and educational requirements.
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Click on the links below to find out about treatment for some of the other problems that can affect people with Noonan syndrome:
Read about Noonan syndrome - a genetic disorder that causes a wide range of features, such as heart abnormalities and unusual facial features.
Read about the main features of Noonan syndrome, including unusual facial features, short stature and heart defects.
Read about what causes Noonan syndrome, and what the chances are of the condition being passed on.
Read about how Noonan syndrome is diagnosed, including what tests you or your child may have.
Read about the treatments available for the different problems associated with Noonan syndrome.