imaginary friends

my niece is downs syndrome and is going to be 13 this year-in the past year she imagnary friends-she talks to all the time-says their there with here and says seats for them-they go every where with her-is see realy seeing them or is this  aproblem that needs to be checked- she plays with other kids-but has to include her invisible friends and gets mad if we tell her there not real

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Children with Down syndrome do at times have visual hallucinations. Get her kidney and liver function evaluated. A deranged kidney or liver can cause these problems too. It could just be that she enjoys playing with make belief friends. However, to assume this your niece would need a psychiatric evaluation. Please consult her treating doctor.
Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.