Down's Syndrome is caused by having an additional copy of the chromosome 21
meaning the child has three copies of the chromosome 21, this will result in
the child having varying degrees of mental retardation, heart defects, a
short stocky body, characteristic eye folds and lack of muscle tone. This
genetic abnormality can be detected in an unborn foetus if it is afflicted,
it is usually prudent to abort the foetus under such circumstances. The
probability of such a defect occurring increases with the age of the mother,
especially after the age of 35.
