As adults with Down syndrome grow older, there is increased risk of experiencing certain common mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and behavioral disturbances. A sudden or abrupt change in mood or behavior patterns warrants further investigation.
How has Down syndrome changed over time?
Between 1979 and 2003, the number of babies born with Down syndrome increased by about 30% . Older mothers are more likely to have a baby affected by Down syndrome than younger mothers. In other words, the prevalence of Down syndrome increases as the mother's age increases.
Does Down syndrome increase with age?
Between 1979 and 2003, the number of babies born with Down syndrome increased by about 30%. Older mothers are more likely to have a baby affected by Down syndrome than younger mothers. In other words, the prevalence of Down syndrome increases as the mother's age increases .
What is the progression of Down syndrome?
People with Down syndrome often experience a gradual decline in thinking ability (cognition) as they age, usually starting around age 50. Down syndrome is also associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer disease, a brain disorder that results in a gradual loss of memory, judgment, and ability to function.
What are the long term effects of Down syndrome?
Long-term (chronic) constipation problems . Sleep apnea (because the mouth, throat, and airway are narrowed in children with Down syndrome) Teeth that appear later than normal and in a location that may cause problems with chewing. Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Can a Down syndrome child 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.
At what age is Down syndrome a risk?
Maternal Age: Down syndrome can occur at any maternal age , but the possibility increases as a woman gets older. A 25-year-old woman has a one in 1,200 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome. By 35 years of age, the risk increases to one in 350—and it becomes one in 100 by age 40.
What is the longest someone has lived with Down syndrome?
A Minnesota man recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest with Down syndrome has died at age 83. Bert Holbrook was identified as the world's oldest man with Down syndrome in November 2008. The Waseca, Minn. resident died on Wednesday of natural causes, a caregiver told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Can you tell if a baby has Down syndrome in an ultrasound?
An ultrasound can detect fluid at the back of a fetus's neck , which sometimes indicates Down syndrome. The ultrasound test is called measurement of nuchal translucency.
Who is most likely to get Downs?
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.
What part of the body does it generally affect Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that can affect many different parts of the body. An extra part or whole Chromosome 21 is the cause of Down syndrome. It is the most common chromosomal abnormality. This syndrome can affect the heart, the brain, the hormone system and the skeleton .
Can someone with Down syndrome have normal intelligence?
scores for people with Down syndrome vary, with the average cognitive delays being mild to moderate, not severe. In fact, normal intelligence is possible . If a person with Down syndrome has difficulty with hearing, it can be misinterpreted as a problem with understanding.
Do Down syndrome babies cry differently?
Just like any baby, infants who have Down syndrome will sometimes be fussy . The temperament of a baby with Down syndrome is not usually any different from the temperament of any other baby.
Why do Down syndrome stick out tongue?
Since the tongue is a muscle, and is controlled by other muscles in the mouth, decreased muscle tone can cause the tongue to stick out more than usual. Several conditions may cause decreased muscle tone, such as Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
What are the behaviors of Down syndrome?
The most common mental health concerns include: general anxiety, repetitive and obsessive-compulsive behaviors; oppositional, impulsive, and inattentive behaviors ; sleep related difficulties; depression; autism spectrum conditions; and neuropsychological problems characterized by progressive loss of cognitive skills.
