June 28, 1999 at 12:00 am
#40801
Karen
Member
People who are born with Down Syndrome have a similar appearance (epicanthic folds, for example) because they share a genetic inheritance. Down Syndrome is caused by a tripling of the 47th chromosome (usually, chromosomes are doubled); this tripling causes the similarities in appearance and affects development in many other ways, too. Some ways include learning disabilities or retardation and health problems, including heart valve deformities and a higher than normal risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. There are lots of sites that discuss this and other disabilities if you want more information.
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