An extra 21st chromosome increasing the total number of chromosomes in the cells of the body to 47 leads to the genetic abnormality known as Down syndrome in human beings. This medical condition has taken its terminology from its discovering scientist, John Langdon Down.

Children suffering from this disorder are born with physical and cognitive disabilities. Although the precise cause of this syndrome is unknown, there is a definite correlation between the occurrence of Down syndrome and the age of the mother.

Down syndrome is a condition that a child is born with. It cannot be contracted later in life, nor is it communicable. There are methods such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis that are helpful in identifying the condition in an unborn child. However, if not conducted then on birth, certain facial features of the newborn are used as markers for its detection by the doctors. Some of the characteristic in a newborn indicating towards Down syndrome include face flatter than normal, upward slanting eyes, abnormally shaped ears, short neck and eyes with Brushfield spots. Incase of these evident symptoms, blood sample of the baby may be examined for verification.

Children born with this syndrome need to be medically examined for other medical problems like problems related to the thyroid, vision, and hearing; gastrointestinal and heart abnormalities, digestive problems, lung infection affecting normal breathing, constipation, eye and ear infections, and even leukemia. The sooner these problems are found out, the higher is the probability of cure.

Despite such grave problems, there are many people with Down syndrome who have not given up on life. Artists such Chris Burke, Jane Cameron and Michael Jurogue Johnson managed to carve a niche for themselves despite being born with the disorder.

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