Down syndrome is an inherited disorder caused by abnormal cell division, resulting in an excess copy of all or part of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the developmental changes and physical features that characterize Down syndrome.

Down syndrome varies in severity, causing lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays. It is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder that causes learning disabilities in children. They also frequently cause other medical abnormalities, including heart and digestive disorders.

symptoms

Everyone with Down syndrome is an individual with mild, moderate or severe mental and developmental problems. Some may be healthy while others may have significant health problems, such as serious heart defects.

Children and adults with Down syndrome have distinctive facial features. Although not all people with Down syndrome have the same facial features.

Children with Down syndrome may have a normal body but grow more slowly and stay shorter than other children of the same age.

intellectual disabilities

Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate cognitive impairment. language delay, and both short- and long-term memory were affected.

the reasons

Human cells normally contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. One chromosome in each pair comes from the father and the other from the mother.

Down syndrome results when abnormal cell division occurs related to chromosome 21. Abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. The extra genetic material is responsible for the characteristic features and developmental problems associated with Down syndrome.

Is the disease hereditary?

Most of the time, Down syndrome is not inherited. It may result from an error in cell division during the early stages of development of the fetus.

Down syndrome may be transmitted by chromosomal change from parents to children. However, about 3 to 4 percent of children with Down syndrome have a chromosomal translocation, some inherited from either parent.

risk factors

Some parents are associated with a higher risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. Risk factors include:

Delayed childbearing age. The chances of a woman having a baby with Down syndrome increase with age, because the eggs of older women are more likely to have incorrect chromosome division. The risk of a woman carrying a child with Down syndrome increases after the age of 35. However, most children with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35 because younger women have more children.

protection

There is no way to prevent Down syndrome. If you are at risk of having a child with Down syndrome, or if you already have a child with Down syndrome, you may need to consult a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant.

A genetic counselor will help you understand the odds of having a child with Down syndrome. The doctor can also explain the available prenatal tests and help explain the advantages and disadvantages of these tests.

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