What is Down Syndrome?

What is Down Syndrome?

People with Down syndrome are born with an extra chromosome, which changes the way their brain and body develop.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder. Most babies are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes within each cell for a total of 46. A chromosome is a structure that contains genes, which are made up of your DNA. Genes determine how you form and develop growing in the womb and after birth. The majority of babies with Down syndrome are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21, with three copies of the chromosome instead of the usual two.

As a result people born with Down syndrome face some physical and mental challenges throughout life. They typically have distinctive body and facial features that set them apart. They are more likely to develop slowly, and are more at risk for some medical conditions.