When a parent is given the diagnosis of Down syndrome for their baby whether he or she is already born or is still just an embryo in the early stages of development, a multitude of questions begin to run through their minds. Many times initial research and information can be overwhelming and difficult to sort through. Parents and families typically need short, concise answers to questions that need no further explanation. It is best for these individuals to have access to questions and answers that they can consult later on as they need to get more answers or cannot remember what they initially read. Research has shown that publications of popular questions that most new parents of a Down syndrome child will ask and the answers to these questions are beneficial and in most cases necessary. Questions and concerns tend to come up in a person's mind over time and without notice. It is at times such as this that a FAQ publication comes in handy.

Question: Is Down syndrome inherited? Down syndrome is not inherited in the sense that one parent is a carrier and passes it on to their child. It is caused from an excess of genetic material from the 21st chromosome. This chromosomal abnormality can come from advanced maternal age as well as an accident during cell division of either the sperm cells or the egg cells. In this sense, it does come from the parent(s) but is not considered inherited.

Question: Is Down syndrome caused by drug or alcohol use by the parent(s) either before or during pregnancy? Down syndrome is not caused from drug or alcohol use or abuse by the parent either before or during pregnancy. In addition, there is no correlation to drug or alcohol use with the chromosomal abnormalities associated with Down syndrome.

Question: Are adults with Down syndrome sterile? Women with Down syndrome have regular menstrual cycles and are capable of pregnancy and childbirth. However, there are only two documented cases of a man with Down syndrome being able to fertilize a woman. Men with Down syndrome tend to be virtually infertile.

Question: How prevalent is Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome? Down syndrome does make a person more likely to have Alzheimer's disease later on in life. The extra genetic material that is present with Down syndrome makes a person more susceptible to certain illnesses that include Alzheimer's disease.

Question: What is the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome? As a result of better medical technology and more knowledge about Down syndrome itself, the average life expectancy for a person with Down's increase from 25 years of age in 1980 to 49 years of age in 1997.

Question: Is there a cure for Down syndrome? There is no medical cure for Down syndrome but early intervention both medically and educationally can increase the functionality of both children and adults with Down syndrome.

There are many other questions that come up when a parent is faced with the possibility of a child with Down syndrome. These are just a few of the most commonly asked questions at physician's offices.