Surgery may be necessary to treat upper neck abnormalities and stomach problems. Most of the educational therapies used to address the core symptoms of Down syndrome are provided through programs run by states and local school systems.
Most children with Down syndrome can spend at least some of their time in a general education classroom with typically developing peers but some children can benefit from a smaller setting with more individual support.
The average life span for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically since the early s. On average, people with Down syndrome live to about 55 to 60 years of age and some live into the 70s or 80s. With the help of specialized educational programs and support, many children with Down syndrome learn and grow successfully. An increasing number of people with Down syndrome graduate from high school. Some young people with Down syndrome take college classes and many hold jobs in the community after they finish school.
Some adults with Down syndrome live independently or in community-based homes or supported living arrangements, where they can get additional support depending on their needs. For Patients. Contact the Down Syndrome Program Fax How is Down syndrome diagnosed? Prenatal tests and timing Ideally, the best time to start thinking about prenatal tests is before conception. Screening tests Screening tests determine the likelihood of Down syndrome and other medical conditions without providing a definite diagnosis.
The different types of screening tests include: blood tests that measure protein and hormone levels in pregnant women. Abnormal levels, whether high or low, can indicate a genetic condition. An ultrasound can identify congenital heart conditions and other structural changes such as extra skin at the base of the neck that may indicate Down syndrome.
Diagnostic tests Diagnostic tests can determine whether a fetus has Down syndrome with nearly percent accuracy. Still, many physicians are not fully informed about advising their patients about the incidences of Down syndrome, advancements in diagnosis, and the protocols for care and treatment of babies born with Down syndrome.
Heredity is not a factor in trisomy 21 nondisjunction and mosaicism. Most cases are sporadic — chance — events. However, in about one-third of cases, one parent is a carrier of a translocated chromosome. Once a woman has given birth to a baby with trisomy 21 nondisjunction or translocation, it is estimated that her chances of having another baby with trisomy 21 is 1 in up until age Genetic counseling can determine the origin of translocation.
There are two categories of tests for Down syndrome that can be performed before a baby is born: screening tests and diagnostic tests. Prenatal screens estimate the chance of the fetus having Down syndrome. These tests do not tell you for sure whether your fetus has Down syndrome; they only provide a probability. There is an extensive menu of prenatal screening tests now available for pregnant women. Most screening tests involve a blood test and an ultrasound sonogram.
The blood tests or serum screening tests measure quantities of various substances in the blood of the mother. New advanced prenatal screens are now able to detect chromosomal material from the fetus that is circulating in the maternal blood. These tests are not invasive like the diagnostic tests below , but they provide a high accuracy rate. Still, all of these screens will not definitively diagnose Down syndrome. Prenatal screening and diagnostic tests are now routinely offered to women of all ages.
The diagnostic procedures available for prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome are chorionic villus sampling CVS and amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is usually performed in the second trimester between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation, CVS in the first trimester between 9 and 14 weeks.
Down syndrome is usually identified at birth by the presence of certain physical traits: low muscle tone, a single deep crease across the palm of the hand, a slightly flattened facial profile and an upward slant to the eyes. Because these features may be present in babies without Down syndrome, a chromosomal analysis called a karyotype is done to confirm the diagnosis. They photograph the chromosomes and then group them by size, number, and shape.
By examining the karyotype, doctors can diagnose Down syndrome. Another genetic test called FISH can apply similar principles and confirm a diagnosis in a shorter amount of time. Individuals with Down syndrome are becoming increasingly integrated into society and community organizations, such as school, health care systems, work forces, and social and recreational activities. Individuals with Down syndrome possess varying degrees of cognitive delays, from very mild to severe.
Most people with Down syndrome have cognitive delays that are mild to moderate. Due to advances in medical technology, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. In , children with Down syndrome were expected to survive to age nine.
With the discovery of antibiotics, the average survival age increased to 19 or More and more Americans are interacting with individuals with Down syndrome, increasing the need for widespread public education and acceptance. These downloadable versions of the Preferred Language Guide are available to print and distribute:. Originally, it was something for her to do to reconnect with herself outside of being a mom. Mosaic Down syndrome occurs when some cells in the body are normal, while others have trisomy Robertsonian translocation occurs when part of chromosome 21 breaks off during cell division and attaches to another chromosome, usually chromosome The presence of this extra part of chromosome 21 causes some Down syndrome characteristics.
A person with a translocation does not have any special physical features, but they are more likely to have a child with an extra chromosome A person with Down syndrome can do many of the things that other people do. Children may take longer to acquire skills such as walking and talking, but with stimulation , they can acquire key life skills and attend school and, in some cases, college.
Depending on how the condition affects a person, it is often possible for someone to work and to live semi-independently with Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome need friendships and relationships. Some will live with a partner or get married, and they will have an independent life. It is worth noting that if one partner has Down syndrome, there is a 35—50 percent chance that their children will, too. Average life expectancy is around 60 years , but many people with Down syndrome now live into their 70s.
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A congenital heart defect is a type of congenital heart disease. It is a structural difference present from birth. Learn more here. What to know about Down syndrome. What is Down syndrome? Causes Characteristics Diagnosis Treatment Types Outlook Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that occurs when an error in cell division results in an extra chromosome Share on Pinterest Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, is a genetic condition.
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