OVERVIEW
A genetic chromosome 21 disorder causing developmental and intellectual delays.Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.
Down’s syndrome causes a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability and developmental delays. It may be associated with thyroid or heart disease.
Early intervention programmes with a team of therapists and special educators who can treat each child’s specific situation are helpful in managing Down’s syndrome.
SYMPTOMS
Requires a medical diagnosis:
Down’s syndrome causes a distinct facial appearance, intellectual disability and developmental delays. It may be associated with thyroid or heart disease.
People may experience:
Developmental: delayed development, learning disability, short stature, or speech delay in a child
Eyes: lazy eye or spotsAlso common: difficulty thinking and understanding, brachycephaly, upslanting palpebral fissures, atlantoaxial instability, bent little finger, congenital heart disease, displacement of the tongue, excess skin on the back of the neck, flaccid muscles, hearing loss, immune deficiency, low-set ears, mouth breathing, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, polycythemia, seborrheic dermatitis, single line on palm, thickening of the skin of the palms and soles, thyroid disease, or vision disorder
TREATMENTS
Treatment consists of therapy and self care
Early intervention programmes with a team of therapists and special educators who can treat each child’s specific situation are helpful in managing Down’s syndrome.
