For a patient with Down syndrome and suspected bowel obstruction, what symptom might you expect?

In patients with bowel obstruction, the appearance of ribbon-like stools can suggest a narrowing or obstruction in the bowel. This condition is often associated with structural abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract that can occur in individuals with Down syndrome. The narrowed passage can cause the stool to take on a thin, ribbon-like appearance as it passes through the affected area. Recognizing this symptom is critical for diagnosis and treatment, as it indicates a disruption in normal bowel function and can lead to more severe complications if not addressed quickly.

Frequent urination, foul-smelling diarrhea, and severe abdominal cramps can be symptoms of other conditions but do not specifically indicate a bowel obstruction or are less commonly associated with it in the context of Down syndrome. Therefore, ribbon-like stools serve as a key indicator in this scenario.