| Down syndrome or DS affects approximately one | | | | vision and hearing problems as well. If you have a |
| out of every eight hundred babies that are born. It is | | | | child who suffers from Down syndrome, you should |
| a condition that is caused by a genetic abnormality | | | | enroll him in intervention programs as soon as |
| inside the child's body and can lead to a number of | | | | possible. There are a number of therapists and |
| complications. To fully understand exactly what DS is, | | | | specialists that can help him learn to crawl, walk, and |
| you need to first understand this abnormality. In a | | | | speak. When he reaches school age, they can also |
| normal baby, genetic information is transmitted in the | | | | help you to decide the best educational program for |
| form of chromosomes. There are forty six total | | | | him. Some DS children need to attend special classes |
| sets, with twenty three coming from the mother and | | | | or schools while others are capable of attending |
| twenty three coming from the father. In babies that | | | | classes with children who do not have DS. As these |
| have Down syndrome, there is an extra set of these | | | | youngsters grow up, many can live |
| chromosomes, boosting the total to forty seven. | | | | semi-independently and often have jobs while others |
| While the cause for this addition is unknown, a | | | | have even finished college. In the past, many children |
| woman's age can increase the chances of her giving | | | | who had DS never reached adulthood. Today, |
| birth to a baby with DS. Women over thirty five are | | | | depending on the seriousness of their various medical |
| especially at high risk and should be tested during | | | | conditions, many Down syndrome sufferers are now |
| pregnancy to detect any fetal abnormalities. Once a | | | | living well into their fifties. As medical science keeps |
| child is born, the doctor can usually diagnose Down | | | | making advances, this age continues to rise as well. If |
| syndrome immediately by looking at the child's | | | | you have a child who suffers from Down syndrome, |
| appearance. DS children tend to have slanted eyes, | | | | there is plenty of support and help to be found in |
| small ears, a flat face, a large tongue, and a single | | | | coping with the situation. Again, many of these |
| crease that runs along the center of their palms. | | | | children live full and happy lives. When spending time |
| Their muscles and joints also appear to be less | | | | with these children, you may also come to realize |
| developed and they seem to be less rigid than a | | | | that they are some of the most loving and caring |
| normal child. As well as appearance, there are some | | | | youngsters that you could ever meet that bring joy |
| medical conditions that are also common in children | | | | and laughter to anyone that they encounter. They |
| suffering from Down syndrome. Many of these | | | | really are "God's special children." |
| infants have difficulty eating normally and have heart | | | | Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and |
| murmurs and other cardiovascular problems. Most of | | | | grandparents while you shop our affordable kids |
| these youngsters also suffer from mild to severe | | | | furniture. For more information, visit this article on |
| retardation, although many are capable of learning | | | | wooden toy boxes. |
| skills throughout their lives. Many are also born with | | | | |