According to United Nations, it is estimated that 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1100 live births have Down syndrome globally. Between 3,000 and 5,000 infants are born with down syndrome every year.
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21.
Symptoms indicating down syndrome varies in the individuals. These indications are; short neck, flattened face, small head, protruding tongue, usually shaped hears, tiny white spots on the Iris, growing shorter than children of same age, affected reasoning, understanding and thinking ability. People with down syndrome could take longer time in developing abilities like walking, talking due to the cognitive impairment.
According to Mayo clinic, the causes of down syndrome is not linked to behavioural or environmental factors nor heriditary except for translocation down syndrome, rather, it is caused by a mistake in cell division during early development of the fetus. Although the causes are not linked to behavioural or environmental factors, there are factors that make parents prone to having children with down syndrome. They include; Advancing maternal age. Studies show that there is a greater risk of having children with down syndrome condition with women giving birth at the age of 35 years and above; Parents passing genetic translocation for down syndrome on to their children. Also, parents that have given birth to a child with down syndrome is at risk of giving birth to children/child with down syndrome.
Down syndrome is not a barrier to becoming great in life as there are persons with the condition that have exceptionally done well with the skill they picked up. It all depends on the efforts made in ensuring that the right treatment for the child is given.
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