Children with Down syndrome have physical characteristics such as flat noses, small ears, low muscle tone, and slanted eyes. Abnormalities can be identified before birth through ultrasound and amniocentesis. They may also have mental retardation, and early intervention is crucial for their development.
Children with Down syndrome generally display one or more of several physical characteristics, including flat noses, small ears, low muscle tone, unusually flexible joints, and slanted eyes. Some children may have additional physical abnormalities, such as heart or other organ disorders. Other problems and complications can arise as children grow, but these problems are often not known or understood until later in life.
Many babies with Down syndrome are identified before birth through ultrasound and amniocentesis. Abnormalities in the development of a baby’s head or face may be noted, or an amniocentesis may reveal an extra chromosome. It is often recommended that women over 35 undergo genetic testing.
The most common and obvious features of children with Down syndrome are the flattened appearance of their faces and nasal area. Their noses are usually small, as are their mouths, and their tongues are often unusually large by comparison. The eyes may have a more almond-shaped or cross-eyed appearance than in other children.
Children with Down syndrome may also lack muscle tone. This may be evident almost immediately during initial newborn testing. These children may have difficulty moving or lifting their heads, and their arms and legs may appear atrophied, loose, or weak. Many babies with Down syndrome also have a weak sucking reflex, and because of the shape of the mouth, feeding or bottle feeding can be more difficult. Studies have shown that breastfeeding is beneficial for babies with Down syndrome because the sucking motion, once learned, helps strengthen jaw muscles.
Some children have more pronounced features of Down syndrome than others. Physical clues are usually present at birth, but further tests are usually needed to confirm a diagnosis. Some babies are also born with additional internal abnormalities, so prompt diagnosis is important so any treatment can be started as soon as possible.
There are a few other traits that children with Down syndrome may possess, but these often aren’t discovered until later in their development. For example, many children with Down syndrome have mild to severe mental retardation. Early intervention and treatment with a counselor and special education teachers is often crucial in ensuring that each child develops to her full potential.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
