Health Insurance for Down Syndrome Child in India: Know Symptoms

Down Syndrome is a disease not very well known in India. This makes the situation difficult as parents need help with the developmental needs of their children. This disease is caused when an extra pair of Chromosome-21 is present in a child, causing slow physical and intellectual development. Down Syndrome is considered an intellectual disability in India under the RPwD Act 2016[4]. A newborn baby has special needs and having a child with Down Syndrome is extra special, with therapies, check-ups, medications, and limited knowledge of the disease. Awareness of Down Syndrome is now being initiated by many organizations which has made people consider health insurance for their children so that they can solely help their child's development and growth.[1]

Symptoms of Down Syndrome

Being aware of the disease is very important before buying health insurance so that you buy the right insurance for your child or the person who has Down Syndrome. We at InsuranceDekho believe in making our customers well aware of their options and fulfilling their insurance-related needs accordingly. Here are a few symptoms that one should know about Down Syndrome:-

• Health complications:- Children with Down Syndrome are prone to health conditions like thyroid, respiratory infections, childhood leukemia, etc. Having health insurance helps a policyholder in overcoming their financial burden so they can focus on their family member who requires special attention.

• Distinctive Characteristics:- People with Down Syndrome have repetitive behavior, difficulty paying attention, being over-friendly, or having overly social behavior which can make them vulnerable to many situations.

• Hearing and Visual Impairments:- People with Down Syndrome are observed having hearing and visual impairments which can affect their lives greatly. Regular check-ups and consultations are required to ensure that their hearing and visual impairments are at bay.

• Heart and Digestive Issues:- Issues such as gastrointestinal blockages are common with people who have Down Syndrome. Heart problems are also something they are exposed to with the slow development aspect of the disease. 

• Speech and Language Delays:- Sentence completion and pronouncing words are difficult for many children with Down Syndrome. The development of language takes a lot of time to happen which again puts them in a difficult situation.

• Cognitively Challenged:- Memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills are something people with Down Syndrome suffer from as their brain may take some time to catch up because of its slow development.

• Unique Facial Feature:- Children with Down Syndrome have unique facial features like smaller eyes, flat facial profile, small nose, etc.

• Delayed Developments:- Development, be it intellectual or physical can take time for a child with Down Syndrome. Crawling, sitting, walking, speaking, etc. can take more time for them compared to their peers.

• Low Muscle Tone:- Muscle development too can be difficult and slow for children which will make sitting up, holding up their head, and moving around harder than usual for them.

• Short Stature:- Having a shorter stature can be genetic in children but having a shorter stature is commonly seen in children who have Down Syndrome.

Health Insurance for Children with Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is a congenital disease which makes it a permanent exclusion in most of the health insurance plans as per the rules of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). However, a few companies like Bajaj Allianz Women Specific Critical Illness [2] and Care Joy Maternity Insurance [3] are going above and beyond by covering this disease to help people lessen their burden so that they can focus on the development of their children. These plans cover the baby born with Down Syndrome if the child survives after 30 days of diagnosis. This helps a parent focus on the development and looking after their child. A few of the treatments caused due to Down Syndrome that may be covered in a plan are:-

• Speech therapies
• Physical therapies
• Alzheimer's (caused due to Down Syndrome)
• Leukemia (caused due to Down Syndrome)

Down Syndrome is considered a pre-existing disease as a child is born with it. So, understanding the terms of reimbursement or cashless claims. This makes the process easier for the policyholder.

Facts about Down Syndrome

These are a few facts about Down Syndrome that are still unknown to most people in India:-

• Down Syndrome has become common in India.
• Lack of awareness can be fatal for children suffering from Down Syndrome.
• The older the mother, the higher the chances of a child being born with Down Syndrome.
• Preventing the disease is not possible as it is a congenital disease.
• Children with Down Syndrome are prone to infections and certain diseases as their nervous systems are weaker than other children.
• Diseases like Alzheimer's and leukemia are common in children with the disease.
• Chances of increase in life expectancy can be possible with early treatment and awareness.
• If the elder sibling is diagnosed with  Down Syndrome, then the possibility of the younger sibling having it also increases.

Making people aware of Down Syndrome as it is becoming more common now is important and also helps families who have children suffering from the disease. Being aware is the first step towards a better life.

Conclusion

Securing health insurance in India is very crucial as the therapeutic and medical expenses are manifold. However, having health insurance relieves the parents of any financial burden so they can focus on their child giving them a bright and healthier future. It is a lifeline more than just a safety net in India. [1]

Reference

[1]https://www.insurancedekho.com/health-insurance/news/health-insurance-for-a-down-syndrome-child-in-india-10021

[2]https://www.bajajallianz.com/health-insurance-plans/womens-health-insurance-critical-illness.html

[3]https://www.careinsurance.com/health-insurance/maternity-health-insurance-plan

[4]https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15939/1/the_rights_of_persons_with_disabilities_act%2C_2016.pdf