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Show Down syndrome victims can be athletes, too, says pediatrician As a group, Down syndrome children are excellent candidates for the Special Olympics program. Editor's note: The following article was submitted by the Medical Committee for the 1985 International Winter Special Olympics Games. It was written by physician John C. Carey, who is assistant professor of pediatrics in' the genetics department at the University of Utah. The Special Olympics Games will take place in Park City March 24-29. Among the hundreds of athletes who will compete in the Special Olympics, many have Down syndrome, a, developmental disability accompanied by physical characteristics that was first described by John Down in the 1860s. Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality. Although most humans have 23 chromosomes, Down syndrome children carry an extra chromosome. Doctors believe this additional genetic material prevents consistent physical development. Individuals with the syndrome are at risk in a number of birth defects (congenital malformations) and other physical problems. About one-third one-third of Down syndrome infants develop defects of the heart and about one in 20 have an obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. Down syndrome victims also suffer alterations in the development of the. face and skull. Thus many children with the condition resemble one another, as well as bearing likeness like-ness to members of their own families. fam-ilies. Because the faces of Down syndrome victims bear a superficial resemblance to Asian facial features, Down inappropriately labeled the condition "mongolism," a term that is no longer used. Down syndrome children have a development disability that limits their performance. They are often labeled mentally retarded, a term that describes an individual score that is 98 percent below that of other examinees on a standardized evaluation (IQ test.) On a scale of severity of mental retardation,. Down syndrome individuals usually are rated moderately involved, or trainable. However, some individuals are more mildly affected. All Down syndrome children learn to walk, talk and communicate and continue to develop throughout childhood. Although as a group Down syndrome children are excellent candidates for the Special Olympics program, an abnormality of neck stability may limit participation by some individuals. It is usually recommended that school-age Down syndrome children undergo X-rays to detect neck weakness before engaging in sports. A child with Down syndrome can be born to parents of any age, although those over age 35 have a greater risk of producing a Down syndrome infant. Research continues into the genetic, psychological, medical and education aspects of Down syndrome. A new medical journal devoted to the condition will publish findings. In the meantime, advances in the treatment of hearing problems, congenital heart disease and developmental disabilities continue to improve the quality of life for Down syndrome victims. |