Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is also known as Trisomy 21, Mongolism and Mongolian Idiocy.
This is also one of the easily detected categories very early in life.
The following features are seen in Down syndrome:
– brachycephaly
– flattened occiput
– small bony orbits
– lateral upward slant of the eyes, and epicanthus
– strabismus
– protruding fissured (scrotal) tongue
– short nose with a flat bridge
– abnormally aligned teeth
In the extremities, one can see the following:
– broad and square hands and feet,
-clinodactyly of the little finger,
– increased spaces between the first and second fingers and toes
– single transverse palmar crease
– short broad neck
– nystagmus
– small teeth
– hypotonia
– prominent abdomen
– umbilical hernia
– and systolic murmur
– small ears
– poorly developed genitalia
– and delay in the appearance of the secondary sex characteristics
Children with Down Syndrome do not present gross changes in the central nervous system.
Mentally, they are trainable and they have reached school age.
What is amazing among them is that they are :
– active
– friendly
– happy
– affectionate
– and music- loving.
Down syndrome can result from a second type of chromosome aberrations: translocation. Causes of chromosomal abnormalities:
– late maternal age
– genes predisposing to nondisjunction
– autoimmune disease
– chromosomal abnormalities
– viral infections
– radiations
– drugs
– and leukemia