Down's Syndrome - Because Every Child is Special!

Dr Vijita Ningombam *

Feet of a 10 year old boy with Down Syndrome, with the typical large space between the large toe and second toe
Pix Coutesy: wikipedia/Loranchet

Down's syndrome, a condition that is also known as Trisomy 21, is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. Typically associated with physical growth delays, it displays characteristic facial features and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental age of an 8 or 9 year old child, though this varies widely.

The most common chromosome abnormality in humans, Down's syndrome occurs in about 1 per 1000 babies born each year. The rate of incidence of the condition has seen an upward trend due to late marriages as women prefer setting up a career before starting a family.

Maternal age affects the chances of having a pregnancy with Down syndrome. At age 20 there is a 1 in 1441 chance, while at age 30 it is 1 in 959. At age 40 it is 1 in 84, and at age 50 it is 1 in 44. Those there are greater chances of it with increase in maternal age, almost 70% of children with Down's Syndrome are born to women who are 35 years of age or less. Increase in the age of the father is also a factor in women older than 35, though not in women who are below the age of 35, which could also partly explain the increase in risk as the women age.

With increasing technology, there are various diagnostic techniques that one may use to confirm the diagnosis. Women facing the birth of a potentially handicapped or malformed child can go under abortion under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act of India, which clearly states that they can choose to go for abortion. Many go through the procedure but sometimes it so happens that this was the only baby they could have.

This article is not about going against the choices. Every mother deserves the chance to do what she thinks is right for her own baby. This article is about the strong parents who choose to bring in the child to the world, no matter what they look like or what they might not possess. Such parents make the choice of giving the child a change to lead a normal life and a chance to fight, choosing to stand by the side of the child, no matter what happens along the way.

For Iren and Deepak, a child with Down's Syndrome was surely different because Lizaba was special, like we are all different and special for our parents.

Lizaba I Deepak (daughter of Deepak Sebastian and Iren S Deepak- PD028) imagerepresented Karnataka State at the 12th National Paralympics Swimming Championships held in Chennai, in the 50m free style and 50m backstroke to win 2 gold medals. She also bagged the Individual Championship in the same events. She had hoped to represent India too.

A few months later, she did. She went on her first International swimming meet at Newcastle Australia from Nov 29th to Dec 12th 2013. She brought back a Silver &Bronze medals for India against the tough Aussies.She swam well and challenged women far more elder and bigger than our small Lizaba.

She has also been selected for the World Games next year in LA in 2015.

This is just one of the numerous stories of a child with Down's Syndrome . The child is surely different, if parents thinks that their child is different. Should the parent stand by their child and support them for life, the child would surely do wonders to their life. So for those who are thinking twice before bringing a Down's syndrome child to the world, give her a chance- she is already growing inside you, because she is your special one.