| Having a child is a huge responsibility. Even before the | | | | Often the individual will have poor muscle tone and |
| child is born there are things that expectant parents | | | | can even have white flecks on the iris called |
| must do to ensure that their child is safe. But there | | | | Brushfield spots. Some of the characteristics will not |
| are occasions and conditions that cannot be avoided. | | | | be immediately obvious such as congenital heart |
| Down syndrome is not picky on what infant it strikes. | | | | defects, sleep apnea and more space between the |
| It does not know socioeconomic barriers and there is | | | | big toe and the rest of the toes. Unfortunately |
| no cure. | | | | having Down's syndrome also means having a degree |
| But there is hope for that child and his or her parents. | | | | of mental retardation. |
| Unlike the past, many children with this genetic | | | | Does a Down syndrome child need specialized care? |
| disorder can still lead fulfilling lives. Thanks to new | | | | Yes, most Down syndrome children will need |
| treatment options and available education, parents | | | | specialized care. The child may have a speech |
| can help their child make it in this world. This article | | | | problem and need to work with a speech therapist. |
| will cover some of the basics of this disorder and | | | | The child may have poor muscle tone and have to |
| hopefully shed a little light on any questions you may | | | | work with a physical therapist. If there are emotional |
| have. | | | | barriers, the parents have to work with the child to |
| How do doctors identify it genetically? | | | | help them adjust to school and different emotional |
| While a woman is pregnant there are ways to | | | | situations that may arise. |
| determine if Down syndrome is present. The first | | | | Many Down's syndrome children have physical |
| test is a routine prenatal screening to detect a wide | | | | problems that have to be constantly monitored such |
| variety of disorders. If the test comes back positive | | | | as congenital heart defects. With the right treatment |
| for Down's syndrome, the mother has the option of | | | | and care the child can learn to be full functioning as |
| having an amniocentesis performed. | | | | an adult. Some individuals with this genetic condition |
| During this procedure a needle is inserted into the | | | | can even live by themselves and hold down jobs. It is |
| abdomen and amniotic fluid is taken. The doctors can | | | | even possible for them to marry and have a family. |
| then test specifically for the disorder. The | | | | How severe is the retardation associated with Down |
| overwhelming sign of Down's syndrome is the | | | | syndrome? |
| presence of a 21st chromosome. | | | | The mental retardation associated with Down |
| What are some characteristics of Down syndrome | | | | syndrome varies from child to child. It can be quite |
| children? | | | | pronounced with a mental IQ of less than 35. Mild |
| There are certain characteristics that are associated | | | | retardation is classified by an IQ score of 50-70. The |
| with Down syndrome individuals. Their physical | | | | only way to find out the extent of the child's mental |
| appearance will be similar. There will be a slanting of | | | | facilities is through testing. Some parents want to |
| the eyes, a round face and often a distended tongue | | | | know and others prefer not to subject their children |
| that can make speech difficult. | | | | to further testing just to classify the mental abilities. |