| Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes | | | | unusual looseness of the joints. Most children with |
| mental retardation and other problems. The condition | | | | Down syndrome will have some, but not all, of these |
| varies in severity, so developmental problems may | | | | features. |
| range from mild to serious. Down syndrome is the | | | | The degree of mental retardation varies widely from |
| most common genetic cause of severe learning | | | | mild to moderate to severe. However, most fall within |
| disabilities in children, occurring in one in every 700 | | | | the mild to moderate range, and studies suggest that, |
| infants. Every year, as many as 6,000 babies are born | | | | with proper training, less than 10 percent will be |
| with Down syndrome in the United States. The | | | | severely mentally retarded. |
| condition is named after John Langdon Down, the | | | | Diagnosed |
| doctor who first identified the syndrome. | | | | Tests (such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus |
| There's no medical cure for this condition. But | | | | sampling) can be done before birth to find out if a |
| increased understanding of Down syndrome and early | | | | baby has Down syndrome. Tissue and fluid in the |
| interventions make a big difference in the lives of both | | | | womb around the baby can be checked for the extra |
| children and adults with Down syndrome. | | | | chromosome. After birth, if the baby has any of the |
| Causes and Risk Factors | | | | physical signs or birth defects of Down syndrome, the |
| Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic | | | | baby's blood can be tested to check for the extra |
| birth defects. It affects all races and economic levels | | | | chromosome. |
| equally. Approximately 1 in 800 to 1 in 1,000 babies are | | | | What's the treatment? |
| born with the disorder. Life expectancy among adults | | | | There's no cure, but treatment of any accompanying |
| with Down syndrome is about 55 years, though this | | | | health problems and support for learning difficulties |
| varies. | | | | allows many people with the syndrome to lead |
| Symptoms | | | | relatively normal and semi-independent lives. Others, |
| A child with Down syndrome may have eyes that | | | | however, need full-time care. Many people with the |
| slant upward and small ears that may fold over a little | | | | condition live well into adulthood, with an average life |
| at the top. The mouth may be small, making the | | | | expectancy of around 60 years. |
| tongue appear large. The nose also may be small, with | | | | Physiotherapy, speech therapy and special educational |
| a flattened nasal bridge. Some babies with Down | | | | programmes have an important role to play, while |
| syndrome have short necks and small hands with | | | | specific medical conditions associated with the |
| short fingers. | | | | syndrome are treated as appropriate. |
| The child with Down syndrome is often short and has | | | | |