Down syndrome

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Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors Tests and diagnosis

Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Coping and support

Definition

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes mental retardation and other problems. The condition varies in severity, so developmental problems may range from mild to serious.

Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children, occurring in one in every 700 infants. Every year, as many as 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States. The condition is named after John Langdon Down, the doctor who first identified the syndrome.

There's no medical cure for this condition. But increased understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions make a big difference in the lives of both children and adults with Down syndrome.

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Symptoms