Facts about Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects about one in every 800 babies. Although DS is common, parents who welcome a baby with the condition into their lives may have many questions.
DS can happen to anyone. It is not the result of anything that is drank or eaten, nor is DS a product of any medications taken during pregnancy. Rather, it is a chromosomal change that takes place during conception. Only three to five percent of DS cases are inherited.
DS is also known as trisomy 21 because of the chromosome on which the mutation occurs. Normally a baby inherits 23 chromosomes from a mother and father, for a total of 46. However, in children with DS, an extra chromosome #21 is inherited, for a total of 47. It is this extra chromosome that can cause the physical features, health problems, and developmental delay in individuals with DS.
It is possible to detect DS before a child is born. Genetic testing can predict the liklihood of the baby having DS, as can blood tests. However, the only definitive way to know is through extracting fluid from the amniotic sac, the balloon that encompasses the fetus. This is called amniocentesis, and has its own risks. Women over the age of 35 have an increased liklihood of giving birth to a child with DS, and often opt to have the amniocentesis.
There are some physical signs that may also be present in fetuses with DS. The baby tends to grow at a slower rate than other fetuses. Physical markers, may be detected during routine sonograms, but cannot concretely prove either way whether the baby will be born with DS.
Children who have DS generally develop at a slower pace than other children. Yet, they can develop and learn. There are various severities associated with DS. Some people are highly functional with minimal health defects. Others may have more mental trouble and be plagued with other physical problems. Almost half of all children born with DS have a congenital heart defect. Half also experience vision and hearing problems.
Because adults with DS vary in their abilities and overall health, it is impossible to pinpoint an age expectancy for individuals with DS. On average, however, individuals with good self-help skills, including mobility and the ability to handle self-feeding as well as other daily tasks, could live into their 50s. Others with poorer skills may live until their 40s.
Those with DS can live long, happy lives. Understanding the factors that go into caring for an individual with DS can make parents more capable of coping and make informed choices for their child. (MS)
