Down’sSyndromeisacommonbirthdefectordisorderwhichcanresultinmentalandphysicalproblemsinchildrenastheygrowolder.Readontoknowaboutthecommonsigns,causesandrisksofDownSyndrome.Down’ssyndromeisoneofthecommonbirthdefectsinwhichthechildisbornwithanextrachromosome.Chromosomesdecidehowthebodyoftheinfantwillgetformedduringpregnancyandalsohowthebabywillgrowduringpregnancyandafterbirthaswell.BabiesthatarebornwithDownsyndromehaveacopyofanyofthesechromosomesandthischangesthenormaldevelopmentofthebodyandthebrainwhichresultsinmentalandphysicalproblemsinchildren.Downsyndromecanrangefrommildtosevereandsosomepeoplewithmildproblemshavesomedifficultiesandsymptomsincommon.Usuallythementalandphysicaldevelopmentofthesechildrenareslow.InthisarticleCommonSignsofDownSyndromeCausesofDownSyndromeScreeningandDiagnosisforDownSyndromeTestingforDownSyndrome–ShouldyouorShouldn’tyou?CommonSignsofDownSyndrome:ThefaceisflathavinganupwardinclinetotheeyeSmallfoldedearsAlargeandprotrudingtongueSmallneckSmallhandsandfeetSmallwhitespotsonthecolouredpartoftheeyesSmallpinkishfingersthatcurvetowardsthethumbattimesAsinglelineacrossthepalmofthehandPoormuscletoneorlooseligamentsSkindisordersThyroidproblemsIncompetentimmunesystemCongenialheartdefectsLowlevelofintelligence,sometimesresultinmentalretardationstagePulmonaryhypertensionCausesofDownSyndrome:Therearethreetypesofabnormalcelldivisionthatinvolveschromosome21whicharethemaincausesofDownsyndrome.Forcoupleswhohaveonechildwithdownchromosomehavechancesofhavingtheotheronetoo.Havinggeneticcounselingwillbeofgreathelpwhendeterminingtherisks.However,therearenoenvironmentalorbehaviouralcausesofDownsyndromeknowntilldate.SomeparentshavegreaterriskofdeliveringababywithDownsyndrome:Maternalage–Astheageofawomanincreases,riskofincorrectdivisionofchromosomesincrease.ThisisthereasonwhyriskofhavingchildwithDownsyndromeincreasesaswomenage.PreviouschildwithDownsyndrome–IfacouplehasachildwithDownsyndrome,theriskforanotherchildwiththesameproblemincreases.Acarrierparent–IfanyofthetwoparentsisacarrierofDownsyndrome,theriskofgivingbirthtoachildwiththisbirthdefectispossible.Prenatalscreeningandgeneticcounselingwillhelpalothere.ScreeningandDiagnosisforDownSyndromeVariousscreeningtestscanhelpidentifythechancesofDownsyndrome.Althoughthesetestswillnotgiveyouanyconcreteanswer,butyouwillatleastcometoknowthatthereisalikelihoodofbabyhavingDownsyndrome.IfthescreeningtestsresultinpositiveorshowexistenceofhighriskofDownsyndrome,furthertestingshouldbedoneasrecommendedbythedoctor.Testsarealsodoneafterthebirthofthechildandthefirstoneincludesandisbasedontheappearanceofthechild.TestingforDownSyndrome–ShouldyouorShouldn’tyou?Couplestakethedecisionofwhethertheywouldliketogoforthetestornot.Althoughoptingfortestornotisapersonaldecision,performingtestsandconfirmingthediagnosiswillprovideyouwithsomeopportunitiesthatare:PlantodevelopachildwithspecialneedsTakestepstomakesomelifestylechangesFindoutsupportgroupsandresourcesinyourareaTakethedecisionwhetheryouwouldcontinuewithpregnancyornotAlthoughmanywiththisbirthdefectdiewithinoneyearandsomebytheageof20,alotofindividualsbecomeadultsandareevencapableofleadinganormallife.WhatarethecommoncausesofachildbeingbornwithDown’sSyndrome?ShouldyougettestedforDown’sSyndromewhilepregnant?HowdoyouknowifyourbabyhasDown’sSyndrome?Discusshere.
Down’s Syndrome is a common birth defect or disorder which can result in mental and physical problems in children as they grow older. Read on to know about the common signs, causes and risks of Down Syndrome. Down’s syndrome is one of the common birth defects in which the child is born with an extra chromosome. Chromosomes decide how the body of the infant will get formed during pregnancy and also how the baby will grow during pregnancy and after birth as well. Babies that are born with Down syndrome have a copy of any of these chromosomes and this changes the normal development of the body and the brain which results in mental and physical problems in children.
Down syndrome can range from mild to severe and so some people with mild problems have some difficulties and symptoms in common. Usually the mental and physical development of these children are slow.
Common Signs of Down Syndrome:
- The face is flat having an upward incline to the eye
- Small folded ears
- A large and protruding tongue
- Small neck
- Small hands and feet
- Small white spots on the coloured part of the eyes
- Small pinkish fingers that curve towards the thumb at times
- A single line across the palm of the hand
- Poor muscle tone or loose ligaments
- Skin disorders
- Thyroid problems
- Incompetent immune system
- Congenial heart defects
- Low level of intelligence, sometimes result in mental retardation stage
- Pulmonary hypertension
Causes of Down Syndrome:
There are three types of abnormal cell division that involves chromosome 21 which are the main causes of Down syndrome. For couples who have one child with down chromosome have chances of having the other one too. Having genetic counseling will be of great help when determining the risks.
However, there are no environmental or behavioural causes of Down syndrome known till date. Some parents have greater risk of delivering a baby with Down syndrome:
- Maternal age – As the age of a woman increases, risk of incorrect division of chromosomes increase. This is the reason why risk of having child with Down syndrome increases as women age.
- Previous child with Down syndrome – If a couple has a child with Down syndrome, the risk for another child with the same problem increases.
- A carrier parent – If any of the two parents is a carrier of Down syndrome, the risk of giving birth to a child with this birth defect is possible. Prenatal screening and genetic counseling will help a lot here.
Screening and Diagnosis for Down Syndrome
Various screening tests can help identify the chances of Down syndrome. Although these tests will not give you any concrete answer, but you will at least come to know that there is a likelihood of baby having Down syndrome.
If the screening tests result in positive or show existence of high risk of Down syndrome, further testing should be done as recommended by the doctor. Tests are also done after the birth of the child and the first one includes and is based on the appearance of the child.
Testing for Down Syndrome – Should you or Shouldn’t you?
Couples take the decision of whether they would like to go for the test or not. Although opting for test or not is a personal decision, performing tests and confirming the diagnosis will provide you with some opportunities that are:
- Plan to develop a child with special needs
- Take steps to make some lifestyle changes
- Find out support groups and resources in your area
- Take the decision whether you would continue with pregnancy or not
Although many with this birth defect die within one year and some by the age of 20, a lot of individuals become adults and are even capable of leading a normal life.
What are the common causes of a child being born with Down’s Syndrome? Should you get tested for Down’s Syndrome while pregnant? How do you know if your baby has Down’s Syndrome? Discuss here.
