Down Syndrome
Down syndrome, also
called Trisomy 21, is a common condition in which extra genetic material causes
delays in the way a child develops, both mentally and physically. It affects
about 1 in every 800
babies born in the United States. The physical features and medical problems
associated with Down syndrome can vary widely from child to child. While some
kids with DS need a lot of medical attention, others lead healthy lives. Though
Down syndrome can't be prevented, it can be detected before a child is born.
The health problems that may go along with DS can be treated, and many
resources are available to help kids and their families who are living with the
condition.
Normally, at the time of conception a baby
inherits genetic information from its parents in the form of 46 chromosomes: 23
from the mother and 23 from the father. In most cases of Down syndrome, a child
gets an extra chromosome 21 — for a total of 47 chromosomes instead of 46. It's
this extra genetic material that causes the physical features and developmental
delays associated with DS. Although no one knows for sure why DS occurs and
there's no way to prevent the chromosomal error that causes it, scientists do
know that women age 35 and older have a significantly higher risk of having a
child with the condition. At age 30, for example, a woman has about a 1 in
1,000 chance of conceiving a child with DS. Those odds increase to about 1 in
400 by age 35. By 40 the risk rises to about 1 in 100.
There are many body shapes and sizes
for example:
·
Short
stature (height). A child often grows slowly and is shorter than average as an
adult.
·
Weak
muscles (hypotonia) throughout the body. Weak belly muscles also make the
stomach stick out.
·
A
short, wide neck. The neck may have excess fat and skin.
·
Short,
stocky arms and legs. Some children also have a wide space between the big toe
and second toe.
Face shape and features
·
Slanted
eyes. Tissue may also build up on the colored part of the eye (iris). But the
child's vision is not affected by this buildup.
·
A
nasal bridge that looks pushed in. The nasal bridge is the flat area between
the nose and eyes.
·
Small
ears. And they may be set low on the head.
·
Irregularly
shaped mouth and tongue. The child's tongue may partly stick out. The roof of
the mouth (palate) may be narrow and high with a downward curve.
·
Irregular
and crooked teeth. Teeth often come in late and not in the same order that
other children's teeth come in.
It is important to remember that while children and adults with Down syndrome experience developmental delays, they also have many talents and gifts and should be given the opportunity and encouragement to develop them. Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate impairments but it is important to note that they are more like other children than they are different.
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