Down syndrome is a genetic condition where a person has an extra chromosome, typically chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes delays in physical and mental development. While the cause is unknown, the risk increases with the mother's age. Down syndrome can be detected before birth through screening tests. It cannot be prevented, but women have options for continuing or terminating the pregnancy if Down syndrome is detected. People with Down syndrome have characteristic physical features including a flat facial profile and inward curving small pinky finger.

1. Down Syndrome Personal Inquiry By Amber Smith

2. What Is Down Syndrome? Down Syndrome also known as DS is a disease which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops in both physically and mentally.

3. What causes Down Syndrome? At the time of conception a baby inherits genetic information from its parents to get a total of 46 chromosomes. 23 from the mother and 23 from the father or a child gets an extra chromosome for a total of 47 instead of 46. Nobody knows why Down Syndrome occurs and there’s no way to prevent the chromosomal error that causes it.

4. Can Down Syndrome Be Prevented? Yes Down Syndrome can be prevented, it can be detected before birth. If a mother chooses to keep her baby with the disease many resources within communities are able to help people living with the disease. But if the mother doesn't want to have a child with Down Syndrome she can choose whether or not to have an abortion.

5. Getting a Baby With Down Syndrome Any woman aged 35 or older have a higher risk to have a baby with down syndrome. At age 30 a woman has a 1 in 900 chance At age 35 a woman has a 1 in 350 chance At age 40 a woman has a 1 in 100 chance

6. Down Syndrome Appearance Kids with DS share the same physical features. A flat facial profile, and an upward slant to the eyes, small ears and a protruding tongue. They also have a single palmer crease, and a short fifth finger that curves inward. Their feet have a widely separated first and second toes and increased skin creases.

7. Facts Down Syndrome is named after John Langdon Down as he found the condition in 1887. Down Syndrome can also be called Trisomy 21 and DS

8. Bibliography http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html http://www.croydonsds.vic.edu.au/ http://www.healthbama.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/downsyndrome1.jpg http://www.dsav.asn.au/AboutDs/aboutDS.html http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Down_syndrome_explained

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