Re: Why do all the people with Downs Syndrome look the same?

Christel,

People with Down's syndrome probably do not all look alike to those who 
know them personally. There are, however, physical characteristics that
they have in common. Down's syndrome is a genetic disorder that was 
established at the moment of conception. Normally, there are 23 pairs of
chromosomes that make up the fertilized egg. One of each pair is from
the sperm and the other from the egg. In Down's there is an extra 
chromosome 21. The medical term is trisomy 21. This is the usual reason
for Down's syndrome. 

The most obvious consequenses of having an extra chromosome 21 are 
an epicanthal fold around the eyes, short stature, dental deformaties,
broad chest and mental retardation. The epicanthal fold about the eyes 
give them an Asiatic or Mongoloian appearance, hence, the older term
mongoloid. 

As in any group of people, those with Down's exhibit different personalities
and varied abilities.

WMR