Question
A 6-month-old baby cannot lift its head, can roll over, and has normal appetite. There are no other significant abnormalities, but the baby sometimes trembles. What is Down Syndrome?
Answer
Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21, is a congenital mental retardation caused by a chromosomal abnormality. Children born with Down Syndrome are referred to as Down’s babies. This condition is congenital, with infants experiencing intellectual disability after birth, often accompanied by congenital heart disease and poor self-care abilities. During pregnancy, pregnant women can undergo Down Syndrome screening, Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), or amniocentesis to detect whether the fetus has Down Syndrome early on.