Mongolism is an inherited disorder in which mental retardation is a major feature. The risk of it occurring rapidly escalates when a woman exceeds the age of 40, and especially with a first A Down’s syndrome child suffers a chromosomal abnormality that results in mental retardation.

In fact, this is now often considered to be a valid reason for a legal termination of the pregnancy. A test carried out following amniocentesis at week 14 of pregnancy may detect the abnormal chromosome. But just the same, cases do occur, and these with younger women for reasons unknown.

Symptoms:

* Head is smaller than normal

* Flattened nose

* Large tongue

* Slanted eyes

* Growth retardation

* Mental retardation

* Shorter than average height

* Obesity

* Vision change

* Hearing loss

* Excessive salivation