116 Down Syndrome
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Number 116
What is Down Syndrome? by Becky L. Spivey, M.Ed.
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a congenital disorder stemming from a chromosomal abnormality appearing in one of every 800 births. It is the most common genetic disorder affecting more than 5,000 babies born in the United States each year. This syndrome occurs when one chromosome has an extra “part,” an error occurs in cell division, or an extra chromosome exists resulting in 47 chromosomes. Most people are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. When the body produces an extra chromosome or genetic material, it alters the way the body develops.
How is the health of a baby born with Down syndrome affected?
Babies with Down syndrome are likely to develop more slowly than other babies. They may learn to walk and talk much later than typically developing babies. Some have stomach problems that affect digestion and elimination. Infections may affect lungs and breathing, and other infections in the ears or eyes may last longer. Some may even develop leukemia. Each person with Down syndrome is different, and may have just a few or many of these problems.
Most people with Down syndrome have very recognizable characteristics and physical features. They may have a flatter face, eyes that slant upward, a mouth that turns downward, and sometimes a larger tongue. Physical features, in addition to the eyes and face, may reveal small or misshapen ears, large spaces between the big toe and second toe, and a deep crease across the palms of the hands. Few or all of these features may exist.
What other developmental problems may occur?
People with Down syndrome have different degrees of cognitive disabilities which affect their development. Other problems may exist too, such as heart defects (almost half of infants born with Down’s have a heart defect) and mental retardation, causing the person to have trouble learning. Many children with Down syndrome are able to
Number 116
What is Down Syndrome? by Becky L. Spivey, M.Ed.
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a congenital disorder stemming from a chromosomal abnormality appearing in one of every 800 births. It is the most common genetic disorder affecting more than 5,000 babies born in the United States each year. This syndrome occurs when one chromosome has an extra “part,” an error occurs in cell division, or an extra chromosome exists resulting in 47 chromosomes. Most people are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. When the body produces an extra chromosome or genetic material, it alters the way the body develops.
How is the health of a baby born with Down syndrome affected?
Babies with Down syndrome are likely to develop more slowly than other babies. They may learn to walk and talk much later than typically developing babies. Some have stomach problems that affect digestion and elimination. Infections may affect lungs and breathing, and other infections in the ears or eyes may last longer. Some may even develop leukemia. Each person with Down syndrome is different, and may have just a few or many of these problems.
Most people with Down syndrome have very recognizable characteristics and physical features. They may have a flatter face, eyes that slant upward, a mouth that turns downward, and sometimes a larger tongue. Physical features, in addition to the eyes and face, may reveal small or misshapen ears, large spaces between the big toe and second toe, and a deep crease across the palms of the hands. Few or all of these features may exist.
What other developmental problems may occur?
People with Down syndrome have different degrees of cognitive disabilities which affect their development. Other problems may exist too, such as heart defects (almost half of infants born with Down’s have a heart defect) and mental retardation, causing the person to have trouble learning. Many children with Down syndrome are able to