Down syndrome is caused by one extra chromosome of the 21 chromosome pair found in normal people. Down syndrome is seen in one in 750-1000 births in the world and in our country. This syndrome can cause physical growth retardation, characteristic facial appearance and moderate mental retardation. It can be detected during routine tests during pregnancy and during delivery. Psychiatric disorders can also accompany Down syndrome. Psychiatric follow-up of individuals with Down syndrome should be done regularly.
“WHEN THIS SYNDROME IS DETECTED, THE APPLICATION TO THE PSYCHIATRY IS 6 MONTHS AFTER”
Medicana International Samsun Hospital Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Psychotherapist Dr. Emre Ürer made statements about down syndrome and what individuals with down syndrome need. Referring to the fact that Down syndrome is caused by the chromosome number 21 being 1 more than normal people, Uzm. Dr. Emre Ürer said, “Down syndrome is the most common mental retardation with known causes. When the child is born, heart anomaly, mental retardation, thyroid hormone-related disorders, digestive system disorders, down syndrome can be counted. Since intelligence and motor development go together in the first 6 years of age, we can often see fine and gross motor skills and delays in intelligence together in Down syndrome. Even in the typical face shape and delivery room, some findings known to be Down syndrome may occur. When this syndrome is detected, admission to psychiatry is 6 months later. In the polyclinic, special education referrals are usually made in areas of special need for mental retardation or physical limitation.
MENTAL DISABILITY IS NOT JUST LOW IQ
Mentioning that the disease can cause different psychiatric problems in some cases, Dr. Ürer said, “Intellectual disability should not be seen as just a low IQ. Because it is a situation where there is a limitation in social cohesion, problems in participation in society, and the possibility of accompanying other psychiatric disorders increases. These include self-care disorders, depression, destructive behavior disorders. That’s why we know that psychiatric follow-up at certain intervals is important. Individuals with Down syndrome may have some IQ differences, as with other mental retardations. Not every individual will be the same or their specific needs will be the same. In some individuals, physical needs are at the forefront, and in some individuals, the intelligence score is lower. Therefore, we know that while some people with down syndrome need more support, others are cases that even graduate from university. We are not talking about a single IQ range. We are talking about a wide scale between borderline intelligence and moderate mental retardation in Down syndrome.