What is

DOWN SYNDROME?

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder in which a child is born with an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are the body’s little “packages” of genes. They shape and function a baby’s body as it develops during pregnancy and after birth. A baby is born with 46 chromosomes on average. One of these chromosomes, chromosome 21, has an extra copy in Down syndrome babies. Trisomy is a medical word for having an extra copy of a chromosome. Trisomy 21 is another name for Down syndrome. This extra copy alters the way the baby’s body and brain develop, posing mental and physical obstacles for the child.