What is Down's syndrome?
Down's syndrome Define Down's syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome Define Chromosome number 21 inside each of the body's cells. It is a chromosomal accident and is not caused by anything parents do before or during pregnancy. It is sometimes inherited, but this is very rare.
The additional chromosome causes an excessive amount of certain proteins Define Protein to be formed in the cell and this disturbs usual growth in the foetus Define Foetus .
Although the chance of having a baby with Down's syndrome increases with age, more babies with Down's syndrome are born to younger women as this is when most women have their babies.
People with Down's syndrome have some learning difficulty and share certain facial features Define Facial features . There are many other characteristics but an individual will have only some of these. People with Down's syndrome have some Physical features in common but most closely resemble their parents and other family members.
There are a number of health problems associated with Down's syndrome. Good medical care and regular checks can minimise these.
In people with Down's syndrome, the brain is formed differently, making the process of learning less efficient Define Efficient . Children with Down's syndrome vary in their rate of development; they develop slower than other children and arrive at each stage later, and stay there for longer. What is important is that they maintain a constant rate of development, however fast or slow that might be.
People with Down's syndrome have a life expectancy Define Life expectancy of 50-60+. The ageing pattern is the same as the general population. This includes a decline in memory, vision, hearing and motor function Define Motor function . There are other health problems more common in older people with Down's syndrome.
Further Reading
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