Why were people with Down syndrome called Mongoloids?

Frank Barra
People with down syndrome often have facial features that resemble those of asians, including almond shaped eyes.

Eduardo J. Ibarra
Because their facial features reminded some people of those natives of Mongolia. But I don't think they meant any offense. Now I don't know.

Glenn Herman
Is it okay to refer to people with Down syndrome as appearing “Mongolese”?
The original term was Mongoloid. It actually had racist undertones, and the word is now neither used or considered acceptable.

There was a belief that white Europeans where the ultimate humans, and the Asians were an inferior race.

Then someone saw a similarity between the appearance of Down syndrome and thought abnormal the face of the affected child resembled the Asian face. The children with Down syndrome were then referred to as Asian-like and the word Mongoloid took hold. The word is now looked as a racial slur. Your new word would not not do to well as a description these days.

Rachel Kelley
I believe a long time ago, people thought they looked like people from Mongolia.