Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. Services early in life will often help babies and children with Down syndrome to improve their physical and intellectual abilities. Most of these services focus on helping children with Down syndrome develop to their full potential. These services include speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and they are typically offered through early intervention programs in each state. Children with Down syndrome may also need extra help or attention in school, although many children are included in regular classes.
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Birth Defects. Section Navigation. This causes physical and mental developmental delays and disabilities. Many of the disabilities are lifelong, and they can also shorten life expectancy. However, people with Down syndrome can live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Recent medical advances, as well as cultural and institutional support for people with Down syndrome and their families, provides many opportunities to help overcome the challenges of this condition.
In all cases of reproduction, both parents pass their genes on to their children. These genes are carried in chromosomes. Half of the chromosomes are from the mother, and half are from the father. The baby ends up with three copies, or an extra partial copy, of chromosome 21, instead of two. This extra chromosome causes problems as the brain and physical features develop. This is the most common form of Down syndrome.
Mosaicism occurs when a child is born with an extra chromosome in some but not all of their cells. People with mosaic Down syndrome tend to have fewer symptoms than those with trisomy In this type of Down syndrome, children have only an extra part of chromosome There are 46 total chromosomes.
However, one of them has an extra piece of chromosome 21 attached. Your baby will be screened for hypothyroidism at birth and at least every two years. If their thyroid is malfunctioning, medication can help. People with Down syndrome are also more prone to immune disorders, infections, dementia, leukemia, obesity, and blood conditions, among other things. Although these health issues sound scary, all are treatable. A baby born now with Down syndrome can expect to lead a full and healthy life.
In fact, the life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades: from 25 years in to 60 years today. Signs of Down Syndrome in Babies and Children. By Nicole Harris Updated September 11, Save Pin FB More. Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis. By Nicole Harris. Be the first to comment! No comments yet. Close this dialog window Add a comment.
Add your comment Cancel Submit. Being in a regular classroom known as inclusion , when appropriate, is good for both the child with Down syndrome and the other kids. A few kids with Down syndrome go on to college.
Many transition to semi-independent living. Others continue to live at home but hold jobs and find their own success in the community.
Your school district's child study team can work with you to find what's best for your child. Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Down Syndrome? What Causes Down Syndrome? Medical problems that happen more often with Down syndrome include: thyroid problems stomach and intestinal problems, including celiac disease seizures breathing problems, including sleep apnea and asthma obesity infections, including ear infections and pneumonia childhood leukemia People with Down syndrome sometimes have an unstable upper spine and should be checked by a doctor every year or sooner if they have symptoms, such as neck pain, walking funny, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
How Is Down Syndrome Diagnosed? Two types of prenatal tests can look for Down syndrome in a fetus: Screening tests estimate the chances that a fetus has Down syndrome. Diagnostic tests can tell if the fetus actually has the condition. Screening tests include: Nuchal translucency testing. This test is done between weeks 11—14 of pregnancy. It uses ultrasound to measure the clear space in the folds of tissue behind a developing baby's neck. Babies with Down syndrome and other chromosomal problems tend to have fluid buildup there, making the space look larger.
To calculate the odds that the baby has Down syndrome, doctors use this measurement, along with the mother's age pregnant women age 35 and older are more likely to have a baby with Down syndrome , and the baby's gestational age. This uses results from first-trimester screening tests with or without nuchal translucency and blood tests with a second trimester quadruple screen to come up with the most accurate screening results.
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