Do people with Down syndrome have distinct features?
A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm – although each person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all.
Can a person with Down syndrome look normal?
Reality: Many but not all people with Down syndrome share common features. For example, many but not all people with Down syndrome have almond-shaped eyes and a short stature. However, like typical people who share similar features, they look more like their families than each other.
How does Down syndrome affect the body?
An individual with Down syndrome inherits all or part of an extra copy of Chromosome 21. Symptoms associated with the syndrome include mental retardation, distinctive facial characteristics, and increased risk for heart defects and digestive problems, which can range from mild to severe.
What does mild Down syndrome look like?
A flattened face — especially across the nose — and upward-slanted, almond-shaped eyes are two of the common physical features of Down syndrome. Some of the other common physical characteristics include a short neck, small hands and feet, small stature, and a lack of muscle tone.
Is Down syndrome a disability?
Down’s syndrome is the commonest identifiable cause of intellectual disability, accounting for around 15-20% of the intellectually disabled population. It is believed that people with Down’s syndrome have always existed.
What part of the body does Down syndrome mostly affect?
Down syndrome, the most common chromosome-related genetic condition in the U.S., affects development of the brain and body. People with Down syndrome face physical and mental challenges, but can lead full and happy lives.
Can a child have Down syndrome and look normal?
Some of the children with Mosaic Down syndrome that we know do not actually look as if they have Down syndrome – the usual physical features are not obvious. This raises some important and difficult social issues and identity issues for both parents and children, which parents have discussed with us.
What are the warning signs of Down syndrome?
Common physical signs of Down syndrome include: Decreased or poor muscle tone. Short neck, with excess skin at the back of the neck. Flattened facial profile and nose. Small head, ears, and mouth. Upward slanting eyes, often with a skin fold that comes out from the upper eyelid and covers the inner corner of the eye.
What is the definition of Down syndrome features?
Down syndrome or Down’s syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is usually associated with physical growth delays, mild to moderate intellectual disability, and characteristic facial features.
What are symptoms of mild Down syndrome?
The physical and cognitive impacts of Down syndrome range from mild to severe. Some common physical signs of the disorder include a small head, flattened face, short neck, up-slanted eyes, low-set ears, enlarged tongue and lips, and sloping underchin.
What are the impacts of having Down syndrome?
These complications can include: Heart defects. About half the children with Down syndrome are born with some type of congenital heart defect. Gastrointestinal (GI) defects. Immune disorders. Sleep apnea. Obesity. Spinal problems. Leukemia. Dementia. Other problems.