Causes
Normally, a baby inherits genetic information in the form of 23 chromosomes from the mother and 23 from the father. But, in most cases of Down syndrome, a baby gets 47 chromosomes, i.e. an extra chromosome. This extra genetic material causes the physical and cognitive delays related to Down syndrome. Women with the age 35 or more are at the higher risk of having a baby with Down syndrome.
Physical Characteristics
The signs and symptoms of Down syndrome can vary from child to child. Some may have severe symptoms, while others may experience mild symptoms. There are about 100 identified characteristics of Down syndrome. Some of the most common are a flat facial profile, a broad forehead, a short neck, an upward slant to the eye, a narrow slit to the eyes, white spots in the iris of the eyes, which are known as Brushfield spots and abnormally shaped ears. They have a small, depression near the nose with slightly flattened bridge across. Mouth is small with slightly protruding tongue. Their arms and legs are short with short fingers and toes, with a little finger curving inward. There is a horizontal, deep crease in the palm of their hand. There is a large space between the first and second toe.
Children with Down syndrome have poor muscle tone, which is known as hypotonia. Their muscles lack the normal tone. Their joints show hyperflexibility i.e. an excessive ability of extending the joints. They also suffer from weak reflexes and learning disabilities.
Medical Characteristics
Along with these physical characteristics, children with Down syndrome may have a wide range of health problems associated with this disorder. Some of the most common medical characteristics of this syndrome are congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, childhood leukemia and increased susceptibility to infection. Cardiac abnormalities are one of the most serious medical features. Children with Down syndrome suffer from progressive heart problems. Atrioventricular septal defect is the most common congenital heart defect. Medications and lifelong cardiac following are common in children with Down syndrome. In some cases, a heart surgery is indicated. Children with Down syndrome have a depressed immune system. As a result, they are at a higher risk of infections. Some respiratory problems such as frequent cold, cough and flu virus are common with these children.
Other medical problems associated with Down syndrome are vision and hearing problems, epilepsy, skin problems, gastrointestinal problems and thyroid problems. Children with Down syndrome often have a strong tendency to develop obesity. They may suffer from hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and a shortage of growth hormone. Infants with Down syndrome have a very soft skin. As they grow older, their skin becomes coarse and dry. Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is the main skin problem found in children with Down syndrome. They also suffer from some gastrointestinal disorders including the anatomical abnormalities such as annular pancreas, aganglionic megacolon, imperforate anus, and functional disorders such as esophageal motility disorders, gastro-esophageal reflux and malabsorption. These children are at the greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease too.
Normally, a baby inherits genetic information in the form of 23 chromosomes from the mother and 23 from the father. But, in most cases of Down syndrome, a baby gets 47 chromosomes, i.e. an extra chromosome. This extra genetic material causes the physical and cognitive delays related to Down syndrome. Women with the age 35 or more are at the higher risk of having a baby with Down syndrome.
Physical Characteristics
The signs and symptoms of Down syndrome can vary from child to child. Some may have severe symptoms, while others may experience mild symptoms. There are about 100 identified characteristics of Down syndrome. Some of the most common are a flat facial profile, a broad forehead, a short neck, an upward slant to the eye, a narrow slit to the eyes, white spots in the iris of the eyes, which are known as Brushfield spots and abnormally shaped ears. They have a small, depression near the nose with slightly flattened bridge across. Mouth is small with slightly protruding tongue. Their arms and legs are short with short fingers and toes, with a little finger curving inward. There is a horizontal, deep crease in the palm of their hand. There is a large space between the first and second toe.
Children with Down syndrome have poor muscle tone, which is known as hypotonia. Their muscles lack the normal tone. Their joints show hyperflexibility i.e. an excessive ability of extending the joints. They also suffer from weak reflexes and learning disabilities.
Medical Characteristics
Along with these physical characteristics, children with Down syndrome may have a wide range of health problems associated with this disorder. Some of the most common medical characteristics of this syndrome are congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, childhood leukemia and increased susceptibility to infection. Cardiac abnormalities are one of the most serious medical features. Children with Down syndrome suffer from progressive heart problems. Atrioventricular septal defect is the most common congenital heart defect. Medications and lifelong cardiac following are common in children with Down syndrome. In some cases, a heart surgery is indicated. Children with Down syndrome have a depressed immune system. As a result, they are at a higher risk of infections. Some respiratory problems such as frequent cold, cough and flu virus are common with these children.
Other medical problems associated with Down syndrome are vision and hearing problems, epilepsy, skin problems, gastrointestinal problems and thyroid problems. Children with Down syndrome often have a strong tendency to develop obesity. They may suffer from hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and a shortage of growth hormone. Infants with Down syndrome have a very soft skin. As they grow older, their skin becomes coarse and dry. Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is the main skin problem found in children with Down syndrome. They also suffer from some gastrointestinal disorders including the anatomical abnormalities such as annular pancreas, aganglionic megacolon, imperforate anus, and functional disorders such as esophageal motility disorders, gastro-esophageal reflux and malabsorption. These children are at the greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease too.