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WHAT IS

down syndrome? 

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of a chromosome (known as chromosome 21). It is typically associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual/ developmental disabilities and characteristic facial features.

 

Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels, though older women have an increased chance of having a child with Down syndrome. 

Boy Sitting on Grass

CHARACTERISTICS OF 

people with down syndrome

Down syndrome is often associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth. Some common sets of facial and/ or physica characteristics include:  

 

  • Microgenia (an abnormally small chin)

  • An unusually round face

  • Macroglossia (protruding or over-sized tongue)

  • An almond shape to the eyes caused by an epicanthic fold of the eyelid

  • Upslanting palpebral fissures (the separation between the upper and lower eyelids), shorter limbs,

  • A single transverse palmar crease (a single instead of a double crease across one or both palms, also called the Simian crease)

  • Poor muscle tone

  • A larger than normal space between the big and second toes.

1200px-World_Down_Syndrome_Day_Logo.png

Do you know 21st March is marked as the World Down Syndrome Day? 

(Click on the picture above to find out more)

READ MORE

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References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome
http://ndss.org

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome

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