Down syndrome is a genetic condition that happens
when a child is born with an extra chromosome
. The extra chromosome affects the way the child's brain and body develop, leading to developmental delays, intellectual disability and an increased risk for certain medical issues.
What are the consequences of Down syndrome?
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.
Can a child with Down syndrome live a normal life?
Most kids with Down syndrome will live a normal life
Although they will experience learning and developmental delays — and possibly health problems — children born with Down syndrome can grow up to be independent.
What is life like with a Down syndrome child?
At one time, most kids with
Down syndrome did not live past childhood
. Many would often become sick from infections. Others would die from their heart problems or other problems they had at birth. Today, most of these health problems can be treated and most kids who have it will grow into adulthood.
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.
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.
At what age does a child with Down syndrome talk?
Typically, these children have a much harder time learning to talk (expressive language) than with understanding what they hear (receptive language). On average, children with Down syndrome start using words
around 16 months of age
—about 6 months later than other children.
Who is most likely to get Downs?
Causes and Risk Factors
One factor that increases the risk for having a baby with Down syndrome is the mother's age. 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.
What is life expectancy for Down syndrome?
What is the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome? The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome increased dramatically between 1960 and 2007. In 1960, on average, persons with Down syndrome lived to be about 10 years old. In 2007, on average, persons with Down syndrome lived to be
about 47 years old
.
Can Down syndrome be cured?
No. Down syndrome is a lifelong condition and
right now there isn't a cure
. But many health problems associated with the condition are treatable.
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.
How does a child with Down syndrome behave?
For example, children with Down syndrome show higher rates (than typically developing children) of
attention problems
, social withdrawal, noncompliance, and compulsions (such as arranging objects and repeating certain actions)
[ 2 , 3 ]
, as well as high rates of self-talk.
Can Down syndrome go undetected?
DSA|OC :: Down Syndrome Association Of Orange County
The most common reason for this late diagnosis is the lack of knowledge in the medical field on this rare form of Down syndrome. However,
many individuals can go undiagnosed up into adulthood
and there are still thousands who never receive a diagnosis.
How do I know if my child has Down syndrome?
Diagnosing Down syndrome
Parents who think their child may have Down syndrome may
notice the slanting eyes, flat-appearing face, or low muscle tone
. Babies with Down syndrome may seem floppy in activity, and they may take longer to hit developmental milestones. These can include sitting up, crawling, or walking.
How do I know if my child has mosaic Down syndrome?
How is Mosaicism Diagnosed? The usual way in which mosaic Down syndrome is discovered is
through genetic testing of the baby's blood
. Typically, 20 to 25 cells are examined. If some of the cells have trisomy 21 and some don't, then the diagnosis of mosaicism is made.
What are the 3 types of Down syndrome?
- Trisomy 21. This is by far the most common type, where every cell in the body has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
- Translocation Down syndrome. In this type, each cell has part of an extra chromosome 21, or an entirely extra one. …
- Mosaic Down syndrome.
