Down Syndrome

 

 

Down Syndrome

Cause: In most cases, Down syndrome occurs when there is an extra copy of chromosome 21. This form of Down syndrome is called Trisomy 21.

Primarily Affects: Equal frequency for males and females.

Discovered By: Dr. John Langdon Down

Symptoms: Symptoms of Down Syndrome include small ears, small mouth, upward slanting eyes, flattened nose, decreased muscle tone at birth, wide hands, delayed mental development, eye problems, hearing problems, hypothyroidism, hip problems, sleep apnea, etc.

Key Statistics:

• There are more than 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States.
• Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.
• The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the mother.