ISLAMABAD: Health experts on Monday said that one out of every 800 babies is born with Down syndrome worldwide, and regular pregnancy screenings and follow-ups are of great importance for expectant mothers.
Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day on Tuesday, Dr Waseem Khawaja, a health expert said that Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder that causes developmental delays. He said that March 21 is observed annually to raise awareness of Down syndrome, a congenital disorder in which a person has an extra chromosome, leading to mental and physical development challenges.
He said that the genetic disorder is caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of the chromosome. This could cause heart diseases and thyroid-related disorders, as well as learning difficulties, he added. –Agencies
