Last Updated (Monday, 20 July 2009 12:44)

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in approximately one in every 800 live births. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder.

Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different

The genetic anomaly can be due to a process called nondisjunction, in which genetic materials fail to separate during a crucial part of the formation of gametes, resulting in an extra chromosome (called trisomy 21). The cause is not known, although it correlates with a woman’s age.

Some physical characteristics of Down Syndrome in infants are decreased muscle tone, a flat face, eyes slanting up, irregular shaped ears, ability to extend joints beyond the usual, large space between the big toe and its neighbouring toe, large tongue relative to the mouth, etc.

Down Syndrome patients can also be afflicted with other conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and leukaemia.

Children with Down syndrome are usually smaller, and their physical and mental developments are slower, than youngsters who do not have Down syndrome.

The majority of children with Down Syndrome function in the mild to moderate range of delayed mental developnent. However, some children may function in the borderline to low average range; others may be severely mentally retarded.

There is a wide variation in mental abilities and developmental progress in children with Down syndrome. Also, their motor development is slow; and instead of walking by 12 to 14 months as other children do, children with Down syndrome usually learn to walk between 15 to 36 months. Language development is also markedly delayed.

It is important to note that a caring and enriching home environment, early intervention, and integrated education efforts will have a positive influence on the child's development.