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Home » Consumer Information » Children with Disabilities

Down Syndrome

Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that stunts physical and intellectual progress, affects about one in every 800 newborns. Babies born with this affliction possess 47 chromosomes as opposed to the typical 46. Unrelated to race, nationality, religion, or socioeconomic status, Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition. It is important to realize that people with Down syndrome are not that much different from the rest of us.

Diagnosis

Down 's syndrome is often diagnosed immediately or shortly following delivery. Initial signs are based on the physical appearance that babies with the disorder generally have like poor muscle development, one crease across the palm of the hand, mild flatness of the face, and a slant of the eyes. This assessment must be verified through a chromosome study called a karyotype. A karyotype show a visual depiction of the patient's chromosomes classified by size, number, and shape. A blood or tissue sample is all that is necessary to perform a chromosome analysis.

Causes

Down syndrome is almost always caused by a cell division error known as nondisjunction. The reason for this is unknown. What doctors do know is that the mistake occurs when the baby is conceived and is not a result of anything the mother may have done wrong throughout pregnancy. It is also common knowledge that the likelihood of a child being born with Down syndrome is proportional to the mother's age. However, 80 percent of mothers with a Down syndrome baby happen to be younger than 35.

Educational development

Many children with Down syndrome have minor impairments that set them apart from other children, so early intervention services should be offered to these kids from the very beginning. They should be enrolled in physical, speech, and developmental therapy. When they are old enough to attend school, children with Down syndrome can share classrooms with others, while some may require more one-on-one attention in a special education setting.

Medical problems

Children with Down syndrome experience health issues that other children their age do not have to deal with. About two-fifths of them have congenial heart defects, which is why it is essential that an echocardiogram be conducted on all babies with Down syndrome in order to establish if cardiac abnormalities may be present. Some of these heart problems require mandatory surgery, but the less severe only need to be monitored regularly. Children with Down syndrome are more vulnerable to infection as well as thyroid, breathing, eye, and ear problems, but with proper healthcare, the majority of them can go on to live healthily. They can expect to live until about 55 years old, while many even reach their 60s and 70s.

Children with Down syndrome require more medical care than others their age. If you have a child who suffers from the disorder, there may be financial assistance programs to help with additional expenses. A social security disability lawyer has all the information you will need regarding this matter.