What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs in approximately 1 in 700 births in Canada. A person with Down syndrome will have 47 chromosomes in each cell instead of 46. Down syndrome results from a genetic imbalance in cells caused from an extra set of genes on chromosome 21. Down syndrome affects all races and economic levels. Statistics show that 80 per cent of babies with Down syndrome are born to mothers under the age of 35 years, as these are prime child bearing years.

There are several characteristics that are more common for babies with Down syndrome. They may include: low muscle tone, eyes that appear to slant upward, a flat nose bridge, relatively small nose and ears, and a single horizontal crease on either palm. Newborns with Down syndrome look like babies who do not have Down syndrome.

About one-third of all children with Down syndrome have congenital hear disease. Many are prone to respitory infections. Many experience visual, hearing or thyroid dysfunction. Greater frequency to leukemia. Greater susceptibility to Alzheimer's Disease.

There is a range of development in children with Down syndrome from severe mental handicap to near normal. Factors influencing this range, in addition to early intervention programs, include the other genes the child inherited from his family, effects of fetal distress or difficult birth, health problems, resulting in low oxygen or prolonged hospitalization for health reasons.

Many children with Down syndrome are performing at levels undreamed of in years past. Young people are graduating from high school with vocational diploma's, many are holding jobs in multi-national companies, in stores and garages. Some excel in sports, some in music and arts receiving worldwide acknowledgment of their talents.

For more info: http://www.cdss.ca