Down syndrome

Description:

Down syndrome is usually recognized at birth because of its common facial and physical characteristics. Some of these characteristics are:

Almond shaped eyes
Poor or low muscle tone
White dots on the iris of the eyes
Large space between the “big toe” and the “second toe”
Difficulty controlling the tongue
Short neck
Very flexible joints

Many children with Down syndrome have additional heath problems. They often have difficulty developing a regular sleep pattern. There is a higher rate of infection, respiratory, vision, hearing and other medical conditions. Nearly 40% have congenital heart defects.

Mental development in children with Down syndrome is quite variable and can range from almost normal, to mild or moderately limited. It is not possible at birth to predict these capabilities. Many children with Down syndrome can be educated in the same school they would go to if they did not have Down syndrome but some may need a more specialized setting.

Cause:

Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder where there is an extra chromosome or part of an extra chromosome present in their DNA . The mother’s age during the pregnancy has shown to influence the chances of a child born with Down syndrome. There does not seem to be any other risk factors and the age of the father does not appear to be a factor.

Treatment:

The most important thing to remember when working with a child with Down syndrome is that they are more like “typical” children than they are not. Many of the characteristics listed above will likely need additional therapies such as speech, occupational and vocational (life skills and job training) and as adults they may never be able to live on their own, but for the most part, children with Down’s syndrome should be able to communicate and socialize with other children and adults in very typical ways.

Prevention:

There is no prevention of Down syndrome. Although the risk increases with maternal age, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35.

Children with Down syndrome CAN:

Feel, communicate, socialize and be understood in many of the same ways as other children!


	About Kupenda Children Ways to Contribute Photo Gallery News & Events Disabilities Schools Children in need of sponsorship Success Stories Autism Blindness or Vision Loss Cerebral Palsy Clubfoot Deafness or Hearing Loss Down syndrome Epilepsy Hip Dysplasia Hydrocephalus Microcephalus (Microcephaly) Spina Bifida Rare Disabilities Down syndrome Description: Down syndrome is usually recognized at birth because of its common facial and physical characteristics. Some of these characteristics are: Almond shaped eyes Poor or low muscle tone White dots on the iris of the eyes Large space between the “big toe” and the “second toe” Difficulty controlling the tongue Short neck Very flexible joints Many children with Down syndrome have additional heath problems. They often have difficulty developing a regular sleep pattern. There is a higher rate of infection, respiratory, vision, hearing and other medical conditions. Nearly 40% have congenital heart defects. Mental development in children with Down syndrome is quite variable and can range from almost normal, to mild or moderately limited. It is not possible at birth to predict these capabilities. Many children with Down syndrome can be educated in the same school they would go to if they did not have Down syndrome but some may need a more specialized setting. Cause: Down’s syndrome is a genetic disorder where there is an extra chromosome or part of an extra chromosome present in their DNA . The mother’s age during the pregnancy has shown to influence the chances of a child born with Down syndrome. There does not seem to be any other risk factors and the age of the father does not appear to be a factor. Treatment: The most important thing to remember when working with a child with Down syndrome is that they are more like “typical” children than they are not. Many of the characteristics listed above will likely need additional therapies such as speech, occupational and vocational (life skills and job training) and as adults they may never be able to live on their own, but for the most part, children with Down’s syndrome should be able to communicate and socialize with other children and adults in very typical ways. Prevention: There is no prevention of Down syndrome. Although the risk increases with maternal age, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under the age of 35. Children with Down syndrome CAN: Feel, communicate, socialize and be understood in many of the same ways as other children!