Patient's question:
I saw a child in my backyard yesterday. He looked like he had facial deformities and moved slowly. Later, I heard from the neighbors that the child had Down syndrome since birth. What are the main symptoms of Down syndrome?Doctor's answer:
Down syndrome is caused by a chromosomal abnormality and is also known as Trisomy 21. Its main characteristics include intellectual disability in infants, distinctive physical features, and delayed physical development. Many affected individuals have a protruding tongue and are of short stature. As they grow older, their intellectual development gradually becomes apparent, and their physical and sexual development is also delayed. Approximately a few infants are accompanied by congenital heart disease. Currently, there is no effective treatment available.