Having Down syndrome also
increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
. Other problems. Down syndrome may also be associated with other health conditions, including endocrine problems, dental problems, seizures, ear infections, and hearing and vision problems.
What challenges does a person with Down syndrome face?
- Heart defects. …
- Vision problems. …
- Hearing loss. …
- Infections. …
- Hypothyroidism. …
- Blood disorders. …
- Hypotonia (poor muscle tone). …
- Problems with the upper part of the spine.
Are there any benefits to having Down syndrome?
The “Down syndrome advantage” is the popular conception that children with Down syndrome are
easier to rear than children
with other developmental disabilities.
What does Down syndrome affect the most?
Women who are 35 years or older when they become pregnant are more likely to have a pregnancy affected by Down syndrome than women who become pregnant at a younger age. However, the majority of babies with Down syndrome are
born to mothers less than 35 years old
, because there are many more births among younger women.
How does Down syndrome affect a person's life?
They may have medical problems, too, such as heart defects. Kids with Down syndrome usually have
trouble learning
and are slower to learn how to talk and take care of themselves. But despite their challenges, kids with Down syndrome can go to regular schools, make friends, enjoy life, and get jobs when they're older.
Can a child with Down syndrome look normal?
People with
Down syndrome all look the same
. There are certain physical characteristics that can occur. People with Down syndrome can have all of them or none. A person with Down syndrome will always look more like his or her close family than someone else with the condition.
Is Down syndrome a disability?
Down's syndrome is
the commonest identifiable cause of intellectual disability
, accounting for around 15-20% of the intellectually disabled population. It is believed that people with Down's syndrome have always existed.
What part of the body does Down syndrome generally affect?
Down syndrome, the most common chromosome-related genetic condition in the U.S., affects development of
the brain and body
. People with Down syndrome face physical and mental challenges, but can lead full and happy lives.
Can Down syndrome be cured?
Down syndrome cannot be cured
. Early treatment programs can help improve skills. They may include speech, physical, occupational, and/or educational therapy. With support and treatment, many people with Down syndrome live happy, productive lives.
Can Down syndrome be prevented?
There's no way to prevent Down syndrome
. If you're at high risk of having a child with Down syndrome or you already have one child with Down syndrome, you may want to consult a genetic counselor before becoming pregnant.
What is life expectancy for Down syndrome?
Today, the average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome is
nearly 60 years
and continuing to climb.
Can two parents with Down syndrome have a normal baby?
Any couple can have a baby with Down's syndrome
, but it is well known that older women are more likely to have a baby with the condition than younger women.
Can animals have Down syndrome?
Down syndrome happens when there is a full or partial copy of chromosome 21. But a duplication of all or part of chromosome 21 would have different effects in the two species. Simply put, the answer is no.
The condition of Down syndrome has not been described in dogs
.
What gender is Down syndrome most common in?
Down syndrome appears to be more common among
boys than girls
, the study indicates. The condition is also seen more frequently in Hispanic children at birth, though the number of these children appears to level off with that of white children as they age. Black children appear less likely to have Down syndrome.
Does Down syndrome get worse with age?
Adults with Down syndrome experience “accelerated aging,” meaning they
will age faster than the general population
. It is expected that adults with Down syndrome will show physical, medical, and cognitive signs of aging much earlier than what is expected for their age.
Can stress cause Down syndrome?
Down syndrome, which arises from a
chromosome defect
, is likely to have a direct link with the increase in stress levels seen in couples during the time of conception, say Surekha Ramachandran, founder of Down Syndrome Federation of India, who has been studying about the same ever since her daughter was diagnosed with …
