What congenital concern should dentists have when treating a patient with Down syndrome?

When treating a patient with Down syndrome, a significant concern for dentists is the prevalence of congenital heart defects. Individuals with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of specific types of congenital heart conditions, such as atrioventricular septal defects and ventricular septal defects. These heart defects can lead to various complications affecting overall health, which can impact dental treatment considerations, including the risk of infective endocarditis.

Awareness of these potential heart issues is crucial in the dental setting, as it may necessitate the need for prophylactic antibiotics before certain dental procedures to prevent bacterial infection in the heart. Additionally, managing dental care in patients with congenital heart defects may require coordination with other healthcare providers to ensure the patient's safety and well-being during treatment.

Other options, while they might be of concern in general pediatric populations, are not as specifically associated with Down syndrome as congenital heart defects are. For example, respiratory issues can occur, but they are not as directly linked to Down syndrome as congenital heart anomalies. Cystic fibrosis and asthma are relevant health issues, but they do not have the same established prevalence in patients with Down syndrome as congenital heart defects do.