WANI Dictionary

Down syndrome

Also called trisomy 21. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects a wide range of physical and intellectual functions. Symptoms include flattened face, small head, short neck, protruding tongue, upward slanting eye lids, etc.

Also see other chromosomal diseases: poly-X syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome.

Definitions in the literature

• Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the developmental changes and physical features of Down syndrome. [1].