Home Remedies and Herbs for Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21.¹ This leads to a variety of developmental and physical problems, though it’s important to note that everyone with Down syndrome is different. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder.² It is not something that can be cured, although treatment options such as speech therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy can help individuals born with Down syndrome lead full life.¹

What Causes Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is caused by a random event during fetal development.³ There are several Down syndrome causes, and most are not inherited. One type of Down syndrome is called trisomy 21. This form of Down syndrome occurs randomly when the reproductive cells are being formed. The abnormality is most common in the egg cells but can appear in the sperm as well. If the egg or sperm gains an extra copy of chromosome 21 during cell division, the child will have Down syndrome.³ 

Another type of Down syndrome, called mosaic Down syndrome, is not inherited and occurs randomly during early fetal development.³ In this type of Down syndrome, some of the person’s cells will have an extra copy of chromosome 21 while others will have the normal two copies. A final type, called translocation Down syndrome, can be inherited from an unaffected parent due to a rearrangement of genetic material.³ Risk for Down syndrome increases in older mothers.¹

Down Syndrome Symptoms

Down syndrome symptoms range from intellectual problems to physical issues. Down syndrome causes mild to moderate cognitive delays and is a common cause of learning disabilities in children.² The condition may also involve behavioral problems such as obsessive compulsive behavior, stubbornness, and attention problems. In many cases, individuals with Down syndrome have trouble with speech and language.³

Down syndrome can also lead to health problems such as heart disease, dementia, and hearing problems.¹ Other health issues may involve problems with the thyroid, eyes, skeleton, and intestines.¹ Celiac disease (which causes a gluten intolerance) and leukemia are also common among Down syndrome patients.³

Individuals with Down syndrome exhibit distinct facial features, such as a short neck, upward slanting eyes, flattened facial features, and poor muscle tone. Infants with Down syndrome tend to grow slower than other children and experience delays in developmental milestones such as crawling.⁴

There is no cure for Down syndrome, but early intervention programs can help improve quality of life.⁵ Various herbs and medications may be used in some cases to reduce symptoms associated with Down syndrome complications.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/downsyndrome.html
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20020948
3. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-20020948
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/basics/treatment/con-20020948