What are the Signs & Symptoms of DS?
There are several physical characteristics that are more common for babies with Down syndrome. These may include a flat facial profile, upslanting eyes, unusual eyelids (known as epicanthic folds), an abnormally small chin (known as microgenia), a flat nasal bridge, prominent protruding tongue, small ears, short neck, white spots on the iris (known as Brushfield spots) single crease on the palms of the hands (known as a palmar crease), smaller limbs, poor muscle tone (known as muscle hypotonia), excessive space between the large toe and the second toe, short fingers and a small head (refer Figure a). [9]
Growth parameters such as height, weight, and head circumference are smaller in children with DS than with typical individuals of the same age. Adults with DS tend to have short stature and bowed legs—the average height for men is 5 feet 1 inch (154 cm) and for women is 4 feet 9 inches (144 cm).
Individuals with DS are also at increased risk for obesity as they age. [1]
Infants with Down syndrome may be of average size, but typically they grow slowly and remain shorter than other children of similar age. In general, developmental milestones, such as sitting and crawling, occur at about twice the age of children without impairment. Children with Down syndrome also have some degree of mental retardation, most often in the mild to moderate range.
Even though they may have these characteristics, babies and children with Down syndrome may still look much like other family members. [14]
Individuals with Down syndrome have a higher risk for many conditions. The medical consequences of the extra genetic material in Down syndrome are highly variable, may affect the function of any organ system or bodily process, and can contribute to a shorter life expectancy for people with Down syndrome. Following improvements to medical care, particularly with heart problems, the life
expectancy among persons with Down syndrome has increased from 12 years in 1912, to 60 years. [1]
The causes of death have also changed, with chronic neurodegenerative diseases becoming more common as the population ages. Most people with Down syndrome who live into their 40s and 50s begin to suffer from an Alzheimer's disease-like dementia.
Growth parameters such as height, weight, and head circumference are smaller in children with DS than with typical individuals of the same age. Adults with DS tend to have short stature and bowed legs—the average height for men is 5 feet 1 inch (154 cm) and for women is 4 feet 9 inches (144 cm).
Individuals with DS are also at increased risk for obesity as they age. [1]
Infants with Down syndrome may be of average size, but typically they grow slowly and remain shorter than other children of similar age. In general, developmental milestones, such as sitting and crawling, occur at about twice the age of children without impairment. Children with Down syndrome also have some degree of mental retardation, most often in the mild to moderate range.
Even though they may have these characteristics, babies and children with Down syndrome may still look much like other family members. [14]
Individuals with Down syndrome have a higher risk for many conditions. The medical consequences of the extra genetic material in Down syndrome are highly variable, may affect the function of any organ system or bodily process, and can contribute to a shorter life expectancy for people with Down syndrome. Following improvements to medical care, particularly with heart problems, the life
expectancy among persons with Down syndrome has increased from 12 years in 1912, to 60 years. [1]
The causes of death have also changed, with chronic neurodegenerative diseases becoming more common as the population ages. Most people with Down syndrome who live into their 40s and 50s begin to suffer from an Alzheimer's disease-like dementia.