Parents' and doctors' attitudes toward plastic facial surgery for persons with Down syndrome

The present study dealt with the attitudes of parents of children with Down syndrome and of family doctors towards reconstructive facial surgery for these children. For both groups, questionnaires were used to measure the attitudes towards the surgery and the basis for the decision to have the surgery performed. In addition, a third questionnaire was administered to the parents to examine their acceptance of the child. No differences were uncovered between the parents and the doctors regarding support for the surgery. However, parents' preferences for physical consequences were greater than for psychological consequences, whereas doctors' preferences did not differentiate between physical, social, and psychological consequences. Parents who showed greater acceptance of their child showed less support for the operation.