| Calderdale Down's Syndrome Group |
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What Is Down's Syndrome ?
Down’s syndrome is a genetic condition involving an extra chromosome which
occurs around the time of conception. A person with Down’s Syndrome has
forty-seven chromosomes instead of the usual forty-six. People with Down’s
syndrome all have a certain degree of learning disability. This means that
they develop and learn more slowly than other children. However, most children
with Down’s syndrome today will walk and talk, many will read and write, go to
ordinary school, and look forward to a semi-independent adult life. Down’s
syndrome is not an illness. People with Down’s syndrome do not ‘suffer’ as a
result of the condition.
How common is Down’s Syndrome?
On average two babies with Down’s syndrome
are born each day, in the UK. For every 1,000 babies born, one will have
Down’s syndrome. Although the chance of having a baby with Down’s syndrome
rises with maternal age, the majority of babies are born to younger women,
since the overall birth rate is higher in this age group.
Characteristics of Down's Syndrome The features which people look for include: Eyes that slant upwards and outwards. They often have a fold of skin that runs vertically between the two lids at the inner corner of the eye (the epicanthic fold). A head which is rather flat at the back with a hairline that is low and ill defined at the nape of the neck, often with rather loose skin in this area. A face that appears somewhat flat with a flat nasal bridge. A mouth cavity that is slightly smaller than average, and a tongue that is slightly larger. Thus the child's tongue may protrude, a habit that can be stopped with teaching. Hands that are broad, with short fingers, and a little finger that curves inwards. The palm may have only one crease across it. A deep cleft between the first and second toe extending as a long crease on the side of the foot. Reduced muscle tone which results in floppiness (hypotonia). This improves spontaneously as the child gets older. A below average weight and length at birth. It is important to point out that any of these features
can occur in people who do not have Down's syndrome. For example, 4 - 5% of
children who do not have Down's syndrome have a single crease across their palm;
6 - 8% of children without Down's syndrome display epicanthic folds. 25 -50% of
persons who do not have Down's syndrome have slanted eyes, flat back of the
head, small ears, flat nasal bridge. Did you know…? Two babies with Down’s syndrome are born every day in the UK. Around one in every 1000 babies born will have Down’s syndrome. There are 60,000 people in the UK with the condition. Although the chance of a baby having Down’s syndrome is higher for older mothers, more babies with Down’s syndrome are born to younger women. Down’s syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in a baby’s cells. It occurs by chance at conception and is irreversible. Down’s syndrome is not a disease. People with Down’s syndrome are not ill and do not “suffer” from the condition. All people with the syndrome will have a varying degree of learning difficulty. However, the majority of people with Down's syndrome will walk and talk and many will read and write, go to ordinary schools and lead fulfilling, semi-independent lives. Today, with the right support, people with Down's syndrome can enjoy a life of sixty years plus "Reproduced from Down's Syndrome Association Website (www.downs-syndrome.org.uk)"
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