A hospital team approach with parents of a Down's syndrome infant.

Abstract

This article is a description of a multidisciplinary team approach with parents of a Down's syndrome infant in the obstetrical department of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. After a brief explanation on the reason why a refinement of this approach became necessary, the authors give an account of the in-service training that was implemented for professionals as well as some comments on parents' initial reactions to the birth of a Down's syndrome child and the role of professionals in these situations. Finally, a "Protocol for management of Down's syndrome infants in hospital" is included in the last part of the article.