Individuals with Down syndrome may be at an increased risk for certain health conditions, including:

• Heart defects: Up to 50% of individuals with Down syndrome are born with congenital heart conditions.
  
  
• Leukemia: People with Down syndrome have a higher risk of leukemia, particularly acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
  
  
• Thyroid dysfunction: About 15% of children with Down syndrome experience hypothyroidism before adolescence.
  
  
• Seizure disorders and gastrointestinal issues may also be more common.
  
  
• Alzheimer’s disease: Individuals with Down syndrome are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, due to the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21.