Down syndrome is a genetic condition that causes delays in physical and intellectual development. It occurs in approximately one in every 800 live births. Individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal disorder. Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socioeconomic status. The most important fact to know about individuals with Down syndrome is that they are more like others than they are different.

Down syndrome is usually identified at birth or shortly thereafter. Initially the diagnosis is based on physical characteristics that are commonly seen in babies with Down syndrome. These include low muscle tone, a single crease across the palm of the hand, a slightly flattened facial profile and an upward slant to the eyes. The diagnosis must be confirmed by a chromosome study (karyotype). A karyotype provides a visual display of the chromosomes grouped by their size, number and shape. Chromosomes may be studied by examining blood or tissue cells.

Down syndrome is usually caused by an error in cell division called nondisjunction. It is not known why this occurs. However, it is known that the error occurs at conception and is not related to anything the mother did during pregnancy. It has been known for some time that the incidence of Down syndrome increases with advancing maternal age. However, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

It is important to remember that while children and adults with Down syndrome experience developmental delays, they also have many talents and gifts and should be given the opportunity and encouragement to develop them.

Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate impairments but it is important to note that they are more like other children than they are different. Early Intervention services should be provided shortly after birth. These services should include physical, speech and developmental therapies. Most children attend their neighborhood schools, some in regular classes and others in special education classes. Some children have more significant needs and require a more specialized program.

Some high school graduates with Down syndrome participate in post-secondary education. Many adults with Down syndrome are capable of working in the community, but some require a more structured environment.

Many children with Down syndrome have health complications beyond the usual childhood illnesses. Approximately 40% of the children have congenital heart defects. It is very important that an echocardiogram be performed on all newborns with Down syndrome in order to identify any serious cardiac problems that might be present. Some of the heart conditions require surgery while others only require careful monitoring. Children with Down syndrome have a higher incidence of infection, respiratory, vision and hearing problems as well as thyroid and other medical conditions. However, with appropriate medical care most children and adults with Down syndrome can lead healthy lives. The average life expectancy of individuals with Down syndrome is 55 years, with many living into their sixties and seventies.

Two types of procedures are available to pregnant women: screening tests and diagnostic tests. The screening tests estimate the risk of the baby having Down syndrome. Diagnostic tests tell whether or not the baby actually has Down syndrome.

Screening Tests

* At this time the most commonly used screening test is “The Triple Screen.” This is a combination of three tests that measure quantities of various substances in the blood. These tests are usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation.
* Sonograms (ultrasounds) are usually performed in conjunction with other screenings. These can show some physical traits that are helpful in calculating the risk of Down syndrome.
* Screening tests do not accurately confirm the diagnosis of Down syndrome. In fact, false positives and false negatives frequently occur.

Diagnostic Tests
Three diagnostic tests are currently available:

* Amniocentesis is performed between 12 and 20 weeks gestation.
* Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is conducted between 8 and 12 weeks.
* Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling (PUBS) is performed after 20 weeks.

Cerebral palsy occurs due to damage of the part of the brain that can cause poor muscle coordination and body movement. Brain development in a baby starts right from the time of pregnancy till the time they reach three, and depending upon the damage that has occurred in their brains, babies can be classified as having different types of palsy.
There are many types of cerebral palsy and spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type found in many children.

Parents should remember that cerebral palsy is not a progressive disorder that is it does not worsen as one ages. It is certainly not contagious or due to hereditary factors and most definitely not life threatening. When a child has been diagnosed as having spastic cerebral palsy, it means that your child has stiff muscles, which tend to become tight too. They show remarkable resistance when they are stretched. At times when they are overactive, they cause the child to put forth or exhibit clumsy movements.

In normal people, muscles tend to work in pairs. When one group of muscles begins to contract, the other group begins to relax and this gives us free movement in our limbs. But in spastic palsy, the spastic muscles become active at the same time and this prevents movement and this muscular war between the two groups is called co-contraction.

There are three types of spastic cerebral palsy and they are spastic diplegia, spastic hemiplegia and spastic quadriplegia. When a child is diagnosed as having spastic diplegia then the child finds that their hip and leg muscles are tight and their legs are crossed at the knees thus making it very difficult for the child to walk. This kind of condition is known as "scissoring" or "scissors gait".

In spastic hemiplegia, the child experiences stiffness on only one side of his body and at times it is the arms and hands that are more affected then the legs. The arms and legs, which are on the affected side, have no normal growth and need the help of leg braces to enable him or her to walk.

In spastic quadriplegia, which is the most severe of the three a child who is affected by this disorder will be mentally, retarded in addition to having their limbs also affected. Not only will the child experience seizures it will also be difficult for the child to speak, eat and move with ease.

Spastic cerebral palsy can be treated with the help of therapy, medications and even surgery. Children with this disorder would do well to learn music and dance therapy, yoga, physical therapy so that they become better.