11 Characteristics of Down Syndrome Children that Parents Must Know

Kapanlagi.com - Every mother certainly wants to give birth to healthy and perfect children. However, it cannot be denied that childbirth is a gift that is under the power of God. Sometimes, babies are born with certain diseases or abnormalities. Down syndrome is one of them. Therefore, every prospective parent should understand the characteristics of a child with Down syndrome.

Down syndrome itself is a congenital disorder caused by chromosomal abnormalities. The characteristics of Down syndrome can be seen from the physical and mental condition of the child. By knowing these characteristics, parents can take care of children with Down syndrome in the right way. Proper care will enable the child to grow and develop well.

The characteristics of individuals with Down syndrome are not always clearly visible. Sometimes, keenness is needed to identify these characteristics, as not every characteristic is visibly apparent. Therefore, here is an overview of the characteristics of children with Down syndrome that have been summarized from liputan.6.com and several other sources.

1. Relatively Small Head Size

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Children with Down syndrome generally have a relatively small head size. This can actually be seen from birth. The size of a baby with Down syndrome's head does appear smaller compared to the head size of a typical baby. However, to confirm further, the size of the baby's head can be confirmed through plotting on the head circumference curve by the attending doctor.

2. Distinctive Facial Features

One of the most noticeable characteristics of a child with Down syndrome is their facial features. Yes, children with Down syndrome have distinctive facial characteristics. Their faces tend to be flat when viewed from the side. However, besides Down syndrome, flat facial features can also be due to genetic factors. Therefore, further confirmation is necessary.

3. Distinctive Eye Shape

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In terms of the face, the eyes of a child with Down syndrome can also be said to have their own uniqueness. The ends of the eyes of children with Down syndrome tend to be pointed upwards, unlike children in general who are more straight. In addition, if examined more closely, there are also white spots on the pupils of the eyes, often called brushfield spots.

4. Abnormal Ears

In addition to the eyes, the ears of children with Down syndrome are also not normal compared to most children. Especially in terms of their position, which is below the eye line. Whereas, in general, the ears are located parallel to the eye line.

5. Flat Nose Shape

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The next characteristic of children with Down syndrome can be seen from their flat nose shape. The flat nose shape in children with Down syndrome is often referred to as a flat nasal bridge.

6. Tongue Tends to be Big

Characteristics of children with Down syndrome can also be found in the mouth, specifically in the tongue. Children with Down syndrome have relatively large tongues. This makes it disproportionate to the size of the mouth, which is relatively small.

7. Short Neck Shape

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Not only in the head and face, characteristics of children with Down syndrome can also be seen in other parts of the body. For example, in the neck which tends to have a short size. In addition to its short size, there is also fat in the neck of children with Down syndrome. In some cases, the fat deposits make the neck appear more saggy.

8. Relatively Large Navel Size

The navel may be a part of the body that is often covered by clothing. It turns out that the characteristic of whether a child or baby has Down syndrome can also be seen from this body part. Children with Down syndrome tend to have large and protruding navels.

However, this characteristic cannot be used as the only reference. This is because such navels are often found in normal children in general.

9. Short Body Posture

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In general, children with Down syndrome have a short body posture. This is partly due to the relatively low chromosomal abnormalities compared to normal children.

10. Tendency to be Passive

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As mentioned earlier, the characteristics of children with Down syndrome are not only visible physically. Apart from the physical aspect, these characteristics or markers are also seen in the daily activities of children. Children with Down syndrome tend to be passive. This is because they have hypothyroidism problems that result in weaker muscle tone compared to children in general.

Those are some of the 11 characteristics of children with Down syndrome that every parent needs to know. Hopefully, it is useful and can increase knowledge!

(kpl/psp)