DOWN SYNDROME

WHAT IS IT?

• A chromosomal condition
• People who have it have an extra chromosome 21
• That interrupts normal development and growth
• Sometimes people get it from attached chromosome 21

WHO DOES IT AFFECT?

• 1in 800 to 1 in 1000 infants

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

• Learning disabilities
• Mental retardation
• Unique facial appearance
• Weak muscle tone
• Excessive flexibility

HOW DOES IT AFFECT PEOPLE?

• Higher risk for heart defects
• Digestive problems
• Hearing loss
• Low activity in thyroid gland
• Intellectual disabilities and delays

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED

• During infancy
• Based on characteristics
• Chromosome analysis
• Using blood or skin sample
• Symptoms that appear during infancy

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT

• Physical therapy
• Heart problems are fixed with surgery or medical management
• There is no true treatment to it

FACTS

• Mosaic is when the extra chromosome is only in some cells
• 40%-60% of people with it get heart defects
• It's the most common genetic disorder
• It is also called trisomy 21

HOW IS IT INHERITED?

• Down syndrome is not inherited
• It is caused by an abnormality in chromosomes
• It randomly happens
• Because it is random, mothers cannot get tested for it

PUNNET SQUARE FOR DOWN SYNDROME

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