
6 Facts About Down Syndrome
What is Down syndrome, exactly? Get better acquainted with this genetic condition with these 5 helpful facts.Down syndrome is causedby extra copies of chromosome 21.
This extra chromosome may be partial or whole, and can lead to one of three different types of Down syndrome: Trisomy 21, Mosaic Down Syndrome or Translocation Down Syndrome.Trisomy 21 is the most common form of this condition.
Trisomy 21 occurs when three copies of chromosome occur instead of two. It accounts for 95% of cases. Mosaic Down Syndrome and Translocation Down Syndrome are much rarer, accounting for 4% and 1% of all cases.Symptoms can vary greatly from one case to another.
Down syndrome isn’t the same across the board. Cases vary from mild to severe. Symptoms may include some or all of the below:- Small Head
- Flattened Facial Features
- Eyes with An Upward Slant
- Ears of Small or Unusual Shape
- Short Neck
- Poor Muscle Tone
- Broad, Short Hands with a Single Palm Crease
- Small Hands and Feet
- Short Fingers
- Extreme Flexibility
- Short Stature
- Brushfield’s Spots