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FYI:

Features and Characteristics

There are many physical characteristics that are associated with DS. Not every individual has all the characteristics, however, the following is a list of the most common traits:

Low muscle tone
Flat facial profile (depressed nasal bridge and small nose)
Flattening of the back of the head
Small hands and feet
An upward slant of the eyes
An abnormal shape of the ear
A single deep crease across the center of the palm
An excessive ability to extend the joints
Fifth finger has one flexion furrow instead of two
Small skin folds on the inner corner of the eyes
Excessive space between large and second toe
Enlargement of tongue in relation to the size of the mouth
Mental retardation (can range from very mild to severe, however, is typically mild to moderate)
Speech delays
Short stature
In addition to the common characteristics, a child with DS may also have the following medical issues:

Congenital heart defects
Increased susceptibility to infection
Respiratory problems
Obstructed digestive tracts
Hearing deficits
Eye problems such as cataracts and strabismus
Failure to thrive in infancy and obesity in adolescence
Thyroid dysfunctions
Skeletal problems (hip dislocations, atlantoaxial instability)
Increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (over age 35) and leukemia

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