Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes mild to serious physical and developmental problems. It is caused by an error in cell division called "nondisjunction," which results in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two copies. Down syndrome can affect anyone, and it doesnt happen as a result of something that the parents did before or during pregnancy. The majority of Down syndrome cases happen randomly (sporadically) . However, there are some risk factors for Down syndrome, including:
- Maternal age: The chance of having a baby with Down syndrome increases as a woman gets older.
- Family history: Parents who have one child with Down syndrome have an increased risk of having another child with the condition.
Down syndrome causes physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms, and not all people with Down syndrome have all of these symptoms. Physical signs of Down syndrome are usually present at birth and become more apparent as the baby grows. They can include:
- A flat nose bridge
- Slanted eyes that point upward
- A short neck
- Small ears, hands, and feet
- Weak muscle tone at birth
Children with Down syndrome may have other medical conditions that are either present at birth or develop over time, such as thyroid problems, stomach, and intestinal problems, hearing loss, and heart defects present at birth. Services early in life will often help babies and children with Down syndrome to improve their physical and intellectual abilities. Most of these services focus on helping children with Down syndrome develop to their full potential, and they include speech, occupational, and physical therapy, typically offered through early intervention programs in each state.
