Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47
Alternative Names
Trisomy 21
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
In most cases, Down syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. This form of Down syndrome is called Trisomy 21. The extra chromosome causes problems with the way the body and brain develop.
Down syndrome is the most common single cause of human birth defects.
Review Date: 10/18/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
