What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is a chromosomal genetic disorder caused by abnormal cell division. It is relatively common and fortunately it is not fatal.
Genetic Cause
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Down syndrome is caused by nondisjunction, which is when sister chromatids to separate properly during cell division. This results in the person having three copies of chromosome 21 in all of the cells in their body.
Down syndrome is an autosomal disorder. This is determined because it is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosome 21 is not one of the sex chromosomes, but is an autosome.
Since Down syndrome is caused by nondisjunction, anyone is at risk of having a child with Down syndrome. However, the risk increases the older the mother is. Approximately 1 in 690 babies born in the United States has Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is an autosomal disorder. This is determined because it is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Chromosome 21 is not one of the sex chromosomes, but is an autosome.
Since Down syndrome is caused by nondisjunction, anyone is at risk of having a child with Down syndrome. However, the risk increases the older the mother is. Approximately 1 in 690 babies born in the United States has Down syndrome.