What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, and often leads to mental retardation. It affects 1 in every 800 babies born. It is a condition in which there is extra sets of a chromosome.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops, and often leads to mental retardation. It affects 1 in every 800 babies born. It is a condition in which there is extra sets of a chromosome.

Interesting Facts about Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is the only trisomy compatible with life. The other two known trisomies leave a baby with only a 5% chance of surviving. In 90% of trisomy 21 cases, the extra chromosome comes from the mother's egg rather than the father's sperm. The cause of down syndrome was discovered in 1959 by Jerome Lejeune. It affects 1 out of every 800 babies.

Child with Down Syndrome

Cause of Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome symptoms

Prognosis of Down Syndrome

Most children diagnosed with down syndrome will experience heart defects and are at risk for high blood pressure. Many people with down syndrome also experience hearing and vision problems due to defected structure of the body parts. Other medical conditions that may occur more frequently in children with DS include thyroid problems, intestinal abnormalities, seizure disorders, respiratory problems, obesity, an increased susceptibility to infection, and a higher risk of childhood leukemia. People with down syndrome typically live to around 55 years old. This number has gone up substantially in the past several decades.