rths, many pregnant women today have a blood test and ultrasound done in the first trimester of pregnancy that can identify about 90% of the cases of DS (Cody and Kamphaus, 1999). They may also have an amniocentesis, which can definitely determine if the fetus will be born with DS (Henderson, 2000).
             While Down gave a description of physical features of people with DS, there are many more biological characteristics that are common to this group. People with DS have many medical concerns. Individuals often have visual problems ranging from poor eyesight to a loss of vision due to cataracts. Because of their larger tongues and smaller mouth, oral hygiene is a problem, also. Many people with DS have gingivitis, missing teeth, or a furrowed tongue. The main cause of death for people with DS is cardiac abnormalities. Many children are born with congenital heart problems but survive after having corrective surgery. The lungs are another body part that is smaller in people with DS and they often contract lower respiratory tract infections and pneumonia. Other common problems include high susceptibility to bacterial infections, ear infections, liver disorders, smaller livers, dislocation of the spine and hip, and hypotonia (Cody and Kamphaus, 1999). People with DS also have neurological and psychiatric problems. It is common that people with DS have fewer neurons, abnormalities in the neurons, and lower brain weight. Many individuals also have seizure disorders. Some studies have shown strong links between DS, Alzheimer's Disease, and dementia, though these are not conclusive (Cody and Kamphaus, 1999).
             Children with DS usually display delays in motor function, cognitive development, and language acquisition with very individual variations in rate and level of achievement. These children display the same types of temperaments as normally developing children. Language skills are delayed and progress at varying speeds; a lot of development ...