Alaska Governor's baby has DS

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Governor's baby arrives early Associated Press - April 18, 2008 10:44 PM ET JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - An unnamed source

close to the family says Governor Palin's baby boy has Down syndrome. That's according to Anchorage TV station KTUU. The governor's spokeswoman, Sharon Leighow, would neither confirm nor deny the report. Leighow says Palin will talk with reporters early next week. Palin gave birth this morning (Friday) to her fifth child a month before her due date. Trig Paxson Van Palin weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces. A news release from Palin's office says the 44-year-old governor and the baby are doing well and resting comfortably. Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. It results in mental retardation, a characteristic broad, flat face and small head and, often, serious heart defects. Leighow says the name Trig is a Norse word meaning "true" and "brave victory." And, she says, Paxson is an area that both Palin and her husband Todd feel is 1 of the most beautiful spots in

Alaska. Palin earlier joked about naming the baby Van Palin after the '80s rock group Van Halen. Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.