Downs Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder and the most common autosomal chromosome abnormality in humans, where extra genetic material from chromosome 21 is transferred to a newly formed embryo. These extra genes and DNA cause changes in development of the embryo and fetus resulting in physical and mental abnormalities. Each patient is unique and there can be great variability in the severity of symptoms.
Risk Factors of Down syndrome
1.You are older when you get pregnant. Many doctors believe that the risk increases for women age 35 and older.
2.You have a brother or sister who has Down syndrome.
3.You had another baby with Down syndrome.
Commonly, there is a small head and short neck, a flat face, and upward slanting eyes. Ears are flat and positioned lower than “normal.” The tongue protrudes and seems to be too large for the mouth. Hands tend to be wide, with short fingers and there is just a single flexion crease in the palm. Joints tend to be more flexible and muscles may lack tone.
Symtoms
1.The patient may have growth retardation and though as a baby may be normal size, will not grow as tall. Average height for an adult male with Down syndrome is 5 ft 1 in and for a female it is 4 ft 9 in. Bowleggedness is common. Obesity occurs with aging.
2.There is decreased mental function and the IQ may range from mild disability (50 to 70) to moderate (35 to 50). For patients with Mosaic Down Syndrome, the IQ can be 10 to 30 points higher.
3.There can be language development delay both from hearing impairment and speech delay. Gross motor skills like crawling and walking can be slow to mature and fine motor skills may take time to develop.