Down’s syndrome is caused by the extra copy of the chromosome 21 in the sufferer. The affected individuals have three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the normal two.
Nearly all the affected have mental retardation, muscle weakness, retarded physical growth, and hearing and vision problems. Most of them have congenital heart disease and many more health challenges.
Often Down Syndrome is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth as well as physical appearance. A small number of DS individuals have profound mental disability. Most individuals with Down syndrome have mental retardation in the mild to moderate range. As a result they suffer with number of health, developmental, intellectual, social, emotional and behavioural problems.
Health Concerns of DS individuals include a higher risk for congenital heart defect, digestive problems, recurrent ear and respiratory infections, sleep disorder, thyroid dysfunctions, hearing deficits, short stature, Alzheimer's disease and many others. Other less common serious illnesses include Leukaemia, immune deficiencies and epilepsy.
The medical consequences of the extra genetic material in Down syndrome are highly variable and may affect the function of any organ system or bodily process.The health aspects of Down syndrome encompass anticipating and preventing effects of the condition, recognizing complica-tions of the disorder, managing individual symptoms, and assisting the individual and his/her family in coping and thriving with any related disability or illnesses.
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