Question

What is the medical definition of Down Syndrome? What are the features and characteristics of Down Syndrome? Explain a theory or reason why Down Syndrome becomes more prevalent as the maternal parent's age increases.

Answer 1

Answer :

• Down syndrome is also called trisomy 21.
• It is a congenital condition that makes an extra copy of the 21 chromosome .
• This extra chromosome causes mental and physical developmental delays .

Features and characteristcs :

1. Decreased muscle tone at birth.
2. Excess skin at the nape of the neck .
3. Flattened nose.
4. Upward slanting eyes
5. Small ears .
6. Small mouth.
7. Wide, short hands with short fingers .
8. Seperated joints between the bones of the skull .
9. Single crease in the palm of hand .
10. White spots on the colored parts of the eye.

Down syndrome medical conditions may include :

• Congenital heart defects .
• Gastro intestinal abnormalities .
• Lymphatic leukemia .
• Eye and ear problems .
• Under active thyroid .
• Hip and joint problems .

Children may have delayed mental and social development :

• Impulsive behaviour .
• Poor judgement .
• Short attension span.
• Slow learning .

People with down syndrome are living longer than ever before :

• They can live well into the 40s and 50's .
• They can live independent and productive lives .

Why : advancing maternal age , a women chances of giving birth to child with down syndrome increases with age because older eggs have greater risk of improper chromose division .

A women 's risk of down syndrome of conceiving a child with down syndrome increases after 35 years of age.