SEVERE DISORDERS Down Syndrome – A Genetic Disorder Causes of Down syndrome Down syndrome (DS), also called , is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of an extra or third in the genetic information that a child gets at . This extra genetic material causes both physical and mental delays in the way a child develops. Trisomy 21 copy of chromosome 21 conception 1 Physical consequences People with Down syndrome share some such as , small ears, a tongue, and low muscle tone. As for their physical development, children with DS learn how to and walk later than other children. They also and remain shorter than their peers. characteristic facial features slanted eyes protruding crawl grow at a slower rate WARM UP a. Because the intellectual ability of the people who suffer from it is below average. b. Because of the low mood of the people who suffer from it. c. Because it takes the name of the doctor who first identified it. • How dici Down syndrome get its name? MORE At conception, a baby gets a tota I of 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. Babies with DS get 47 chromosomes. 1 Mental consequences People with DS suffer from a which affects their ability to learn. Children experience delays in speech and self-care skills, such as , dressing and going to the toilet. to moderate intellectual disability mild feeding Health consequences Health problems associated with Down syndrome . Some live healthy lives, while others require medical attention. Almost half of the children born with DS have a congenital heart defect and problems with hearing and vision. Moreover, they can develop respiratory, digestive and thyroid problems and also obesity. vary from child to child Prenatal detection Down syndrome cannot be prevented, it can be with two different types of diagnostic tests of the foetus: Although detected , to estimate the risk that a foetus has DS screening tests , to state if the foetus really has the condition. diagnostic tests The most common type of diagnostic test is , which is performed between 10 and 12 weeks after conception. It involves the removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid through a inserted in the abdomen. amniocentesis needle Adult life People with DS experience , i.e., they have conditions that are common in elderly adults. accelerated ageing