Answers To Your Questions About Down Syndrome
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Down Syndrome is three dimensional it has a physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Each case can be a wide range of being mild or severe. Symptoms can vary and no two individuals with Downs will... |
Down Syndrome is three dimensional it has a physical, cognitive and emotional issues. Each case can be a wide range of being mild or severe. Symptoms can vary and no two individuals with Downs will exhibit the same combination of symptoms.
There are facial characteristics, muscle tone is flabby, there may be cardiac involvement, or gastrointestinal problems, immunodeficiency issues, vision and hearing ones too.
There are 3 types of Down Syndrome: non-disjunction, mosaicism and translocation. The individual may have extra chromosomes in all of their cells or only in some of them.
The occurrence of Down Syndrome is not the result of something either parent did. It is not the result of behavior, any habit, or from any activity or lifestyle. It is not caused by pre-conceptual drug use or alcohol use.
There is however some connection between the age of the biological mom and the risk factor for conceiving a baby with Down Syndrome.
Approximately 3% of all Down Syndrome cases have a hereditary connection. Parents of a child who has mosaicism type of Down Syndrome are not very likely to have another baby with Down Syndrome. Mosaicism Down Syndrome has extra chromosome in only some of their cells other cells are normal.
There are 3 types of Down Syndrome: non-disjunction, mosaicism and translocation. All three of these types are caused by an extra piece of chromosome 21 that has broken off and attached to another chromosome. The most common Down Syndrome is non-disjunction. This type accounts for 95% of those with Downs. Non-disjunction is also called Trisomy 21.
One out of 800 babies born will have Down Syndrome.
There is a lot of information about Down Syndrome at your local library, bookstore or even the Internet. downsyndrome.com gives you valuable information about the disorder.
Those born with Down Syndrome can lead normal lives, almost normal lives or lives full of appointments, doctor's visits and medical treatments. Intervention can make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by Down Syndrome.
Obstetricians offer pre-natal tests for pregnant women who are 35 or older. These tests are not conclusive but can give a couple some idea of what they may be dealing with so that they might be prepared emotionally for what they may face at the time of birth.
Children born with Down Syndrome benefit from being in a nurturing environment at home. There are many support opportunities for families dealing with Down Syndrome.
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Hi there,
Just wanted post some additional info. The latest stats say that Down syndrome actually occurs in 1 out of 733 live births (see http://www.ndss.org). The ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) now recommends that ALL pregnant women be screened for Down syndrome before their 20th week of pregnancy, not just women over 35. Between 90%-98% of parents choose to abort when given a Down syndrome diagnosis. New findings are also showing that increased age of the father may also be a risk factor. While maternal age is a risk factor, the majority of children with Down syndrome are born to women UNDER 35. The only test that can confirm Down syndrome is an amnio. Some studies say that for every child diagnosed with Down syndrome through amnio, 3 typically developing fetuses die from miscarriage as a result of amnio. Due to early intervention, medical advances, and awareness life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased from 25 in 1983 to 56 in 2008. The oldest man living with Down syndrome just passed away in march at the age of 68.
"Down syndrome occurs in one out of every 733 live births, and more than 350,000 people in the U.S. have this genetic condition. One of the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormalities, Down syndrome affects people of all ages, races and economic levels. Today, individuals with Down syndrome are active participants in the educational, vocational, social and recreational aspects of our communities. In fact, there are more opportunities than ever before for individuals with Down syndrome to develop their abilities, discover their talents and realize their dreams. For example, more teens and adults with Down syndrome each year are graduating from high school, going to college, finding employment and living independently." taken from http://www.ndss.org