Down Syndrome Symptoms

Posted on August 17, 2016 by webdevadmin

Signs and Symptoms of Down Syndrome: An Overview

While some people have many Down syndrome symptoms, others have only a few. At least 100 characteristics are associated with the condition, including a flat facial profile, an upward slant to the eye, and learning disabilities. In addition, people with Down syndrome are at increased risk of developing certain medical conditions not necessarily associated with Down syndrome, such as congenital heart disease. The extra chromosome 21 arrangement of Down syndrome appears to be one of the most common genetic abnormalities known, occurring as frequently as 1 in every 800 to 1,000 births. While Down syndrome is common, the symptoms an individual with Down syndrome experiences can vary. Some people may have several symptoms; others only a few. Some people experience severe symptoms of Down syndrome; others can have mild ones.

Characteristics of Down Syndrome Symptoms

There are estimated to be over 100 characteristics of Down syndrome. Common characteristics of Down syndrome can include:

A flat facial profile
An upward slant to the eye
A short neck
Abnormally shaped ears
White spots on the iris of the eye (called Brushfield spots)
A single, deep transverse crease on the palm of the hand
Smaller than average size
Exaggerated space between the first and second toe
Poor muscle tone (called hypotonia)
Joint looseness
Broad feet with short toes
Learning disabilities.

Symptoms of Other Conditions Associated With Down Syndrome

Besides the physical characteristics, people with Down syndromeare also at increased risk of developing certain medical conditions that come with their own set of symptoms. Some of these conditions can include:

Thyroid problems
Hearing problems
Congenital heart disease
Eye problems
Seizure disorders
Bone, muscle, nerve, or joint problems
Leukemia and other cancers
Immune system problems
Developmental delay
Mental retardation
Alzheimer’s disease.

Down Syndrome Symptoms: Summary

Not everyone with these possible Down syndrome symptoms has the disorder. A number of these features can be seen in the general population, and these symptoms are common in other disorders. Anyone with potential symptoms of Down syndrome should be seen by a healthcare provider so that the problem can be properly diagnosed.

Sources: MedTV