Down Syndrome: Common Physical Characteristics & Features

People with Down syndrome usually share specific physical characteristics, including:

- Distinctive facial features, such as an upward slant to the eyes, a broad or flat nasal bridge, and a small chin

- Short stature

- Hypotonia, or decreased muscle tone

- Hyperflexibility, or increased joint mobility

- Dental problems, including crowding or misalignment of teeth

- Narrow ear canals or hearing loss

- Gastrointestinal problems, such as celiac disease or Hirschsprung disease

- Congenital heart defects, such as atrioventricular septal defects

- Vision problems, such as cataracts or refractive errors

- Sleep disturbances

- Developmental delays

- Intellectual disabilities

- Increased risk for certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, leukemia, and seizures.