All genetic information in the human body is stored within the chromosomes. Under normal circumstances, an individual inherits 23 chromosomes each from the mother and father respectively. Any additions or deletions in this number result in the formation of an abnormal fetus. Trisomy 21 symbolizing the occurrence of an extra twenty-first chromosome in human beings is also called Down syndrome.
This is a medical condition that exists by birth and cannot be communicated from one person to another. The precise cause of the disease is not clearly known but many associate maternal ages with the occurrence of the condition. Despite this correlation, statistics highlight 80 percent of Down syndrome babies being born to mothers under the age bracket of 35. The discrepancy in the correlation could be resulting from the fact that most women bear children before the age of 35 years.
One out of every 750 children born in the US is believed to suffer from Down syndrome. The probability of having a child with Down syndrome tends to increase with age in women; in the ratio of 1: 2500 in younger women, 1: 350 in women above the age of 35 years and 1:25 in women above 45 years of age. Children suffering from Down syndrome are born with asymmetrical skull, a round head which is flat at the back, small-sized skull, upward slanting eyes, broad and short hands, one crease on the palms, reduced muscle tone, small oral cavity, and protruding tongue.
In general, the affected child shows delayed growth and development and incapability in mental and social skills. Such children need to be enrolled in special schools wherein trained professionals offer assistance to help them cope with life.
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