All you need to Know about Down Syndrome on this World Down Syndrome Day

Human body is a complex structure devised by cells, nerves, genes, and many other elements. Every cell in the human body contains a nucleus that stores all the genetic materials in the genes. These genes carry codes of inherited traits and are grouped as chromosomes.

Generally, the nucleus contains 23 pairs of chromosomes partly inherited from each parent. But sometimes, an individual has a full or a partial extra copy of chromosome 21 that results in a condition known as Down syndrome. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Down syndrome is a type of mental retardation and can be a result of a process known as Non-disjunction (resulting in extra chromosome). It is often referred to as a genetic disorder that causes physical and mental development delays and disabilities.

Here’s everything you need to know about Down syndrome:

Causes

Down syndrome is a result of an extra pair of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material tends to cause problems with the development of the brain and physical features in a person. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Down syndrome is prevalent in almost 1 of 1000 live births worldwide. It was also reported that almost 3,000 to 5,000 babies are born with the genetic disorder. Though the actual reason of this chromosome disorder in unknown, it is still believed to be a result of 3 genetic variations.

·       Trisomy 21: It is the most common condition in which all body cells have 3 copies of chromosome 21 instead of 2.

·       Mosaic Down syndrome: It is a rare condition, where only limited cells have an extra pair of chromosome 21. 

·       Translocational Down syndrome: In this condition, each cell has a part or an extra chromosome 21 attached to another chromosome. 

Symptoms

Down syndrome can lead to various physical and mental intellectual and development problems which may be mild, moderate or severe. Children with this condition have distinct physical features. Some include:

·       Flattened facial features

·       Small head and Unusual shaped ears

·       Small hands and feet with relatively short fingers     

·       Short neck

·       Upward slanting eyelids

·       Short height

Down syndrome also causes some degree of developmental disabilities. Some mental and social development delays include:

·       Impulsive behavior

·       Poor judgment skills

·       Slower learning capabilities

·       Short attention span

Complications

As per the top pharma companies, people with Down syndrome condition often face a variety of complications that may become prominent with age. According to WHO, some prevalent complications in children with Down syndrome include:

·       60 to 80 percent of children have hearing defects

·       40 to 45 percent of children have congenital heart disease

·       Intestinal abnormalities at higher frequencies

·       Obesity during childhood and adolescence

Some other prevalent medical complications include:

·       Poor vision or cataracts

·       Gastrointestinal defects

·       Immunity disorders

·       Spinal problems 

·       Sleep apnea

·       Dementia

·       Leukemia  

Though children with Down syndrome face unique sets of challenges and obstacles, they can still live a longer and better life.