Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is one of the most common causes of birth defects. Affecting newborns, the condition causes an abnormal physical appearance, mental retardation and multiple health conditions. Caused by an extra chromosome that occurs during the development of the egg, researchers are not sure what prompts the abnormality. The condition is genetic and risk factors increase with the age of a woman who becomes pregnant. There is no preventative for Down Syndrome, though diagnostic tests are available to give parents an indication of the condition prior to birth. With adequate treatment and health care, those afflicted with Down Syndrome may lead happy and relatively normal lives. Learning to identify signs of Down Syndrome will promote understanding of the condition and help parents to cope with the challenges, difficulties, and joys of raising a Down child.
Instructions
1. Look at your baby or toddler. Many Down Syndrome babies don't show abnormalities, or recognizable traits such as large eyes, protruding tongues or small skulls at birth, though some do. Facial features may appear small, with a flat nose, large tongue and small mouth. Look at your baby's eyes. Many Down Syndrome babies have almond-shaped eyes.
2. Check your baby's muscle tone. Often, Down babies appear floppy or loose jointed and lack firm muscle tone. This makes it difficult for them to hold up their head as they grow, or cause uncoordinated movements when reaching or grabbing objects.
3. Look at your baby's ears. Sometimes, Down syndrome babies have ears that are not shaped normally. When in doubt, check with your pediatrician, as there may be other reasons for such anamolies.
4. Observe your baby's hands. In some cases, Down babies have larger than normal hands, and their little fingers sometimes curve inward. Again, just because your baby has large hands does not mean he or she has Down Syndrome. Avoid jumping to conclusions and watch for and observe signs and symptoms in groups, not individually.
5. Observe your child's growth rate. In most cases, Down babies grow at a slower pace than their peers, and may never reach normal height or weight standards. Have your pediatrician perform regular weight and height measurements and watch for signs of delayed learning processes such as with crawling, walking and talking.
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