Focus on Down Syndrome Research

Down's Syndrome is a chromosome abnormality, usually due to an extra copy of the 21st chromosome, although not invariably, resulting in mental retardation and other abnormalities. It is the most common single cause of birth defects with an incidence of 1 in 660 births. Children with Down syndrome have a widely recognised characteristic appearance. The head may be smaller than normal and abnormally shaped. Prominent facial features include a flattened nose, protruding tongue, and upward slanting eyes. Retardation of normal growth and development is typical and most affected children never reach average adult height. Congenital heart defects are frequently present in these infants as are other medical difficulties. Breakthroughs in genetic engineering offer new hope for this field. This book offers state-of- the art reports on efforts to better understand and push forward this dynamic field of medical research.Malard, Jeffrey A. is the author of 'Focus on Down Syndrome Research', published 2004 under ISBN 9781590338933 and ISBN 1590338936.