Down syndrome

American  

Or Down's syndrome

noun

Pathology.

1. a genetic disorder, associated with the presence of an extra chromosome 21, characterized by mild to severe mental impairment, weak muscle tone, shorter stature, and a flattened facial profile.

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Sensitive Note

Down syndrome (or Down's syndrome ) has replaced earlier terms, such as mongolism to refer to the disease and Mongoloid or Mongol to refer to the affected person, all of which are now considered offensive.

Etymology

Origin of Down syndrome

First recorded in 1960–65; after John L. H. Down (1828–96), British physician

Example Sentences

The Eriksons also had a fourth child, Neil, who had Down syndrome and was sent to an institution immediately after birth.

From The Wall Street Journal

New research suggests that disrupted brain circuits in Down syndrome may be linked to a shortage of a specific molecule that the nervous system relies on to develop and work properly.

From Science Daily

People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, for example, and Fragile X syndrome results when the FMR1 gene isn’t expressed.

From Los Angeles Times

Later pregnancies have a higher risk of complications such as miscarriage, high blood pressure and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

From Los Angeles Times

More and more people with Down syndrome are graduating from mainstream high school, college, and university classes and going on to be of service in the world.

From Salon