Trisomy 18

There is no treatment that can cure Trisomy 18. However, some specific health problems faced by babies and children with Trisomy 18 do have treatments available. For example, your healthcare provider can help you find services to improve feeding ability or talk about the option of feeding through a tube directly into the stomach. Some babies with breathing difficulties may need a machine to help them receive enough oxygen as well. Surgical intervention may be an option in situations where a baby has a heart defect or other birth defect. Other supportive services and therapies, like physical therapy or individualized education plans, may be helpful to some children as well. Support organizations such as SOFT and UNIQUE have very useful websites that discuss treatments for specific health problems and day-to-day living issues that have worked for their children with Trisomy 18 or a related issue. One such page can be reached at the SOFT "Helpful Information" page at http://trisomy.org/?page_id=5089.