21 [twen-tee-wuhn, twuhn-]

Down syndrome

or trisomy 21

Congenital disorder caused by an extra chromosome (trisomy) on the chromosome 21 pair. Those with the syndrome may have broad, flat faces; up-slanted eyes, sometimes with epicanthal folds (whence its former name, mongolism); intellectual disability (usually moderate); heart or kidney malformations; and abnormal fingerprint patterns. Many persons with Down syndrome can live and work independently or in a sheltered environment, but they age prematurely and have a short (55-year) life expectancy. The risk of bearing a child with the disorder increases with the mother's age; it can be detected in the fetus by amniocentesis.

Learn more about Down syndrome with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Year 21 was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.

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  • Manufacture of pens and metal writing tools in Rome.

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