Down’s Syndrome Physical appearance bowel What is it? abnormalities Individuals with Down's digestive Down's (or Down) syndrome have a number of problems syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a physical characteristics; genetic condition that is sensory these may include some or caused by the presence of an impairments all of the following: additional chromosome. thyroid problems small nose increased risk of flat nasal bridge Individuals with Down’s infections and syndrome usually have a small mouth dementia range of distinguishing slanting eyes blood disorders. physical features and a learning disability. Potential difficulties broad hands Understanding fingers Screening (blood tests, and following only one palm nuchal translucency tests) is instructions. crease offered to all pregnant women, resulting in a risk below average factor for having a child birth weight and In practice…. with Down syndrome or ’s length other genetic disorder. arms and legs Explain the procedure using reduced muscle Babies can be diagnosed picture cards if tone. with this condition by available and chorionic villus Delayed development sampling or amniocentesis appropriate. tests, but most babies with All individuals with Down's Make sure they know Downs’s syndrome are born syndrome have some form what you are saying. to mothers who have not of learning disability and wanted or received antenatal delayed development; the screening, or who have degree of this varies widely. Useful resources received a false negative NHS choices result. Health complications Some individuals with Down’s Syndrome It is estimated that there is Down’s syndrome may be Association one case of Down’s generally healthy, others syndrome per 800 to 1,000 may experience one or births and the chance of a more of the following baby being born with DownSyndrome.org.uk health conditions: Down’s syndrome increases the older the woman is when heart disorders she becomes pregnant.
Down’s Syndrome What is it? Down's (or Down) syndrome or Trisomy 21 is a genetic condition that is caused by the presence of an additional chromosome. Individuals with Down’s syndrome usually have a range of distinguishing physical features and a learning disability. Screening (blood tests, nuchal translucency tests) is offered to all pregnant women, resulting in a risk factor for having a child with Down ’s syndrome or other genetic disorder. Babies can be diagnosed with this condition by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis tests, but most babies with Downs’s syndrome are born to mothers who have not wanted or received antenatal screening, or who have received a false negative result. It is estimated that there is one case of Down’s syndrome per 800 to 1,000 births and the chance of a baby being born with Down’s syndrome increases the older the woman is when she becomes pregnant. Physical appearance Individuals with Down's syndrome have a number of physical characteristics; these may include some or all of the following: small nose flat nasal bridge small mouth slanting eyes broad hands fingers only one palm crease below average birth weight and length arms and legs reduced muscle tone. Delayed development All individuals with Down's syndrome have some form of learning disability and delayed development; the degree of this varies widely. Health complications Some individuals with Down’s syndrome may be generally healthy, others may experience one or more of the following health conditions: heart disorders bowel abnormalities digestive problems sensory impairments thyroid problems increased risk of infections and dementia blood disorders. Potential difficulties Understanding and following instructions. In practice…. Explain the procedure using picture cards if available and appropriate. Make sure they know what you are saying. Useful resources NHS choices Down’s Syndrome Association DownSyndrome.org.uk
2014.02.18_downs_syndrome_fact_sheet.docx