Health encyclopaedia

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Down's syndrome

Human cells normally contain 23 pairs of chromosomes. Chromosomes are the parts of body cells that carry inherited information - the characteristics that are passed to you from your mother and father.

A chromosomal disorder means there is a change in the normal number of chromosomes. This can mean that physical and mental development is impaired and can result in learning difficulties and health problems.

Down’s Syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder and one of the most common causes of learning difficulties.

Named after the first person that described it, Dr J L Down, the condition affects one in every 1,000 people. Some are more severely affected than others.

Around 600 babies with Down’s Syndrome are born in the UK every year. It occurs in all ethnic groups and affects slightly more boys than girls.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Complications
• Treatment

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