Down Syndrome is one of the leading deficiencies in the United States. Down Syndrome is something that is passed on from parents to children and sometimes there is no way to avoid the gene passing.
What causes down syndrome? Down syndrome is caused by an extra set of chromosomes in the child DNA makeup. By using a test called Trisomy 21, parents are able to check if the child is indeed born with such set of extra chromosomes.
Despite the extra set from parents, down syndrome affects people by chance as well. There is an estimated 2 births out of 788 that result in the down syndrome. It has been noted that it dominantly covers older children in the family although there are documented facts that the younger siblings are also infected.
It also is passed on by chance since some parents have displayed no such condition and it appears int heir children. Some cases note a chance birth and these are times when the condition cannot be prevented.
The down syndrome is normally characterized by a lack or slowed down cognitive and physical functions. Most often there are physical defects like large faces, slouched spinal development, among others. Most children with down syndrome have mild disabilities and have low IQ. Most children display low IQs of the range of 50 and below.
Many schools have been established to handle children with down syndrome and so far the progress has helped those who have sever cases of down syndrome cope with normal family life.
Couples who have children with down syndrome experience heavy emotional and mental turmoil that is why there are also centers and counseling hotlines that deal specifically with these concerns. More often than not, these centers are manned by experts on the issue and volunteers who may have a down syndrome child themselves. It has been documented that some couple divorce or separate upon learning that their child has been diagnosed with the syndrome.
other signs of down syndrome in children can be seen by the presence of s small chin ( called microgena), a round face, a long tongue, the almond type eyes set, short limbs, and a single cease of line on the palms. Normal children have double ceases on their palms.
Down syndrome children have poor endurance, easily get tired, a large set of toes. They also have to contends with several heart related defects, ear conditions, not being able to sleep and thyroid irregularities.
The overall body development of the child is slowed down tremendously and it takes much work and effort on the part of the child to cope.
While there is no known cure for downs syndrome, it is advised that couples who wish to check the well being of their child can do so at the infants earliest age using several tests.