How can you tell if a newborn baby has Down syndrome?

Parents who think their child may have Down syndrome may notice the slanting eyes, flat-appearing face, or low muscle tone. Babies with Down syndrome may seem floppy in activity, and they may take longer to hit developmental milestones. These can include sitting up, crawling, or walking.

What are the facial features of Down syndrome?

Some common characteristics present in people with the disorder include distinctive facial features, such as slanting eyes, small chin, round face, flat nasal bridge, Brushfield spots in the iris, abnormal outer ears, and flattened nose.

Do Down syndrome babies have flat faces?

Some common physical features of Down syndrome include: A flattened face, especially the bridge of the nose. Almond-shaped eyes that slant up. A short neck.

What are Down syndrome babies like?

In many important ways, children who have Down syndrome are very much like other children. They have the same moods and emotions, they like to learn new things, play, and enjoy life. You can help your child develop by providing as many chances as possible for him or her to do these things.

Do Down syndrome babies look like their parents?

People with Down’s syndrome get the extra chromosome material along with the full set of chromosomes from their parents. All the genes they inherit are ordinary ones, which explains why they resemble their families in the same way as ordinary children.

Why does Down syndrome have the same face?

Why do people with Down syndrome look the same? They have an extra chromosome or part of an extra chromosome. Researchers believe that this extra genetic material affects growth of the maxilla (part of the skull) and the bone, cartilage, and connective tissue in the head, known as the cranial neural crest.

Do babies with Down syndrome cry?

Children with Down syndrome are children, above all else. As babies they cry and sleep, and as they grow they walk and talk. If you’re caring for a child with Down syndrome, you might face some challenges different to other parents.

What part of the body does Down syndrome generally affect?

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that can affect many different parts of the body. An extra part or whole Chromosome 21 is the cause of Down syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal abnormality. This syndrome can affect the heart, the brain, the hormone system and the skeleton.

Can doctors tell if a newborn has Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is usually diagnosed during pregnancy. If Down syndrome is not diagnosed during pregnancy, health care providers can usually diagnose Down syndrome based on the infant’s appearance. In such cases, the diagnosis should be confirmed using a blood test that examines the child’s chromosomes (karyotype).

What are the features of Down syndrome?

Other physical features seen in Down syndrome include a single crease across the palms of their hands as well as short stubby fingers with a fifth finger or pinky that curves inward (this is called clinodactyly). They often have straight hair that is fine and thin.

What are the warning signs of Down syndrome?

Common physical signs of Down syndrome include: Decreased or poor muscle tone. Short neck, with excess skin at the back of the neck. Flattened facial profile and nose. Small head, ears, and mouth. Upward slanting eyes, often with a skin fold that comes out from the upper eyelid and covers the inner corner of the eye.

How are babies with Down syndrome physically affected?

One of the serious effects of Down Syndrome is approximately one-half of babies born with Down’s have heart defect. Most commonly, the heart has a hole between the chambers. This can cause heart failure due to an overflow of blood in the chambers and the inability to pump blood effectively.

How is Down syndrome diagnosed in the newborn?

Down syndrome can also be diagnosed after a baby is born. Clinicians can usually tell if a baby should be tested for Down syndrome based on a physical examination. The first test, a rapid blood test (FISH), confirms the presence of extra material from chromosome 21. Results are available within a few days.