Children with Down syndrome in India
23000 to 29000 children in India are born with Down syndrome which is the highest in the world.
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A genetic disorder, Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in certain people which causes:
Most of these disabilities last lifelong and can also threaten life expectancy. However, these days with advances in medical science, support networks, and more understanding of this disorder people with Down syndrome along with their families can successfully navigate through the challenges posed by this condition.
When a baby’s cells develop each cell receives 23 pairs of chromosomes, i.e. a total of 46 chromosomes, half from the mother and half from the father. People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome i.e. a total of 47 chromosomes. Medical experts are not sure why this occurs.
No link has been established so far between the environment (such as lifestyle, including diet) and the extra chromosome or the parents from whom the child receives the genes.
People with down syndrome display certain physical characteristics such as:
The cognitive and behavioural symptoms include:
The associated physical disorders that can affect people with Down syndrome include:
Doctors can check for Down syndrome during pregnancy or after the baby is born. The following tests are usually recommended by doctors:
These tests are done during the first and second trimester of pregnancy and are screening tests, which can estimate the risk you have of having a baby with Down syndrome. A blood test will help to determine certain markers in the mother’s blood, for example, certain proteins, that signal the likelihood of Down syndrome. An ultrasound is able to detect fluid at the back of a fetus's neck, that can sometimes indicate Down syndrome.
The tests though cannot for sure indicate whether your baby has or does not have Down's syndrome. They can just indicate how high your risk is.
There are diagnostic tests such as:
The complications that people with Down syndrome may experience include:
Medical Treatment for Down Syndrome
Early intervention is required for Down syndrome since people suffering from this condition are at a greater risk of suffering from various health issues compared to people who do not suffer from this condition. In fact, most of the associated conditions may require medical intervention right after birth, throughout adolescence right into adulthood.
For instance, an infant born with Down syndrome may require a heart surgery immediately after birth if he/she is born with a heart defect. Or if the infant suffers from any particular digestive issues he/she may need to take a specific form of diet coupled with the necessary treatment.
Earlier the life expectancy of children with Down syndrome was low, but now with the advances in medical sciences infants with Down syndrome can live upto the age of 60 years or more with the right kind of support network, timely medical treatment, and other assistive devices.
Medical treatment for Down syndrome will depend on the kind of issues the patient suffers from. On the whole from time to time a person with Down syndrome may require the specialized services of a:
Exercise
Studies indicate that people with Down syndrome are less inclined to exercise mostly due to low muscle tone. In fact, they seem to have less capacity for cardiovascular and muscular exercises.
Though, existing data also shows that exercising is beneficial for gradually increasing the exercise capacity and physiological functions in people with Down syndrome. If you have a family member who suffers from Down syndrome it would be beneficial to consult a doctor and find out what kind of exercises will suit him/her the most and then make sure the family member follows an exercise regimen.
23000 to 29000 children in India are born with Down syndrome which is the highest in the world.
Survival rate is only 44 % for those who have a congenital heart disease.
A 25-year-old woman has a 1 in 1,200 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome; by 35, the risk has increased to 1 in 350; by age 40, to 1 in 100; and by 49, it's 1 in 10. Although the chance of a woman having a child with Down’s syndrome increases with age, 80% of children with Down’s syndrome are born to women under 35.
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extra finger
simian crease in both hands
My 5 months anamoly scan EIF found
All these concern for down syndrome??
Paediatrician visited during my delivery to check the baby but they didn't tell anything about DS...
In generally paediatricians will observe about DS when they check baby first time???
Are we need to consult which specialist Dr to confirm about DS??
Kindly suggest me... I'm really concerned about my newborn...