1. What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a condition in the babies which occurs due to an extra copy of a chromosome. It results in the baby being born with a typical facial pattern, having an upward slant to the eyes, low muscle tone, delays in development and learning disabilities. The symptoms may vary in intensity in every child.
2. How is Down syndrome caused?
Down syndrome is the result of an error in the cell division process that results in an extra copy of chromosome number 21. The reason why this happens however, is not yet known. Evidence suggests that the age of the mother is a common reason for having babies with Down syndrome. Getting pregnant at 35 years of age or above can lead to an increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome.
3. What are the symptoms of Down syndrome?
The symptoms of Down syndrome are as follows:
·Poor muscle tone
·Small head, nose and ears, flat face, slanting eyes
·Short neck
·A single deep crease on palms, short hands
·A deep groove between the first and second toe
·White spots in the eye
·Slow learning, delayed speech and language development
·Short attention span
·In some cases, hearing or vision loss
4. How do I know my child has Down syndrome?
After birth, your doctor may diagnose Down syndrome by studying the typical symptoms. Though all the symptoms may not develop in every child with Down syndrome. Your doctor may advise a genetic test to detect the presence of a faulty chromosome. Prenatal screening of Down syndrome is available, which shows the occurrence of the condition in the growing baby during 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy.
5. Is Down syndrome hereditary?
No, Down syndrome is not hereditary. In almost all cases, Down syndrome does not run in the family. With increasing age, you are at a greater risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome; however, anybody can have a baby with Down syndrome as it is the result of a genetic mutation, which can occur in anyone.