Down Syndrome Clues.Each year in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , approximately 4,000 children are born with Down Syndrome Down syndrome, congenital disorder characterized by mild to severe mental retardation, slow physical development, and characteristic physical features. Down syndrome affects about 1 in every 730 live births and occurs in all populations equally. . Although there are many symptoms associated with Down Syndrome, few children have all of the symptoms. However, a large percentage of people with Down Syndrome also have Atlantoxial Instability, which is a condition where the top two vertebrae Vertebrae Bones in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of the body that make up the vertebral column. Vertebrae have a central foramen (hole), and their superposition makes up the vertebral canal that encloses the spinal cord. in the neck are not aligned. Researchers at the Fetal Medicine fetal medicine n. The branch of medicine that deals with the growth, development, care, and treatment of the fetus and with environmental factors that may harm the fetus. Foundation in London made this discovery by measuring the swellings under the skin at the back of the neck in the unborn babies of 96,127 British women. Of the babies born with Down Syndrome, researchers accurately predicted eighty-two percent of them using the measurements of the swellings. These findings have allowed earlier and more accurate detection of Down Syndrome. Scientists believe that between ten and fourteen weeks gestation GESTATION, med. jur. The time during which a female, who has conceived, carries the embryo or foetus in her uterus. By the common consent of mankind, the term of gestation is considered to be ten lunar months, or forty weeks, equal to nine calendar months and a week. , the baby with Atlantoxial Instability will have the swelling at the neck, indicating a risk for Down Syndrome. --ABDC News, Sept/Oct 1998, Vol. 27, Issue 6 |
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