Question
My child was born a few days ago, and recently, I don’t know why, they keep scratching their ears. Could it be a sign of a Down syndrome baby, and what should I do?
Answer
The main characteristics of Down syndrome in children include intellectual disability, delayed physical development, and a distinctive facial appearance. The child has wide eye spacing, a low, flat bridge of the nose, small eyes, upward slanting eyes on the outer side, epicanthal folds, small ears, a narrow jaw, and a tongue that often sticks out with excessive drooling. They are short in stature with a head circumference smaller than normal, bone age often lagging behind their age, delayed and misaligned teeth; fine and sparse hair; short limbs due to relaxed tendons that allow for excessive joint curvature. The fingers are thick and short with the little fingers often curved inward. Diagnosis is required.