Down Syndrome Facts
Down syndrome affects roughly 1/1,000 American babies. While it's every parent's worst nightmare to receive a Down syndrome diagnosis, 75% of all parents with a Down syndrome child will tell you the experience was ultimately extremely rewarding. Raising any child is never easy and raising a developmentally disabled child will certainly require more patience. However, you will still celebrate all the same milestones as your child learns to walk and talk, and you'll find that families with disabled children often have a much tighter family unit.
When learning about Down syndrome, you will discover there is a build-up of additional genetic material on the 21st chromosome. Doctors aren't 100% sure what causes this abnormality, but they do know that parental age increases the risk. Eighty percent of Down syndrome babies are born to parents under 35, which is probably because more people in that age bracket are having children. Statistically speaking, a 25-year-old woman has a 1/3,000 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, while a 35-year-old-woman has 1/365 odds of having a Down syndrome baby. By 45 years of age, her baby has a 1/30 chance of having downs! It is very rarely passed down genetically and it is estimated that only 3-4% of all downs cases are caused from inherited translocation of genetic material, while the rest appear to be caused by random, abnormal chromosomal activity.
There are some common medical conditions that people with this chromosomal disorder may face. Half of Down syndrome babies are born with heart defects and increased susceptibility to illnesses. Often, they are born with a hearing impairment or poor vision, and will likely encounter a speech impediment, sleep apnea or chronic ear infections later down the road. As a parent, you'll need to find a trusted, specialized, medical practitioner. You may find local resources through the National Down Syndrome Society at www.ndss.org.
The aim of Down Syndrome Awareness advocated by nonprofit organizations, like NDSS, is to encourage widespread acceptance of diversity and inclusion. While individual cases vary greatly, many people with Down syndrome are able to work jobs, get married, rent apartments and lead fulfilling lives. The more you encourage your child to pursue hobbies, the more time you spend with your child at home and the earlier you seek intervention, the better your odds will be at becoming one of the success stories.
Related topics about down syndrome
children with down syndrome
Parents of children with Down syndrome are flooded with a barrage of emotions. They may experience disappointment, anger, grief, frustration, fear and anxiety. Mothers over the age 35, who have a higher chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, may experience guilt or self-blame.
down syndrome
Having a child is a huge responsibility. Even before the child is born there are things that expectant parents must do to ensure that their child is safe. But there are occasions and conditions that cannot be avoided.
fragile x syndrome
Fragile X syndrome occurs when a person's cells do not produce the FMRP protein. The genetic code for how to synthesize this protein is carried on the X chromosome, so men (who carry an X and a Y chromosome) can produce the protein only if there is a stable gene on their X chromosome telling their body how to do so. Women (who have XX chromosomes) may carry stable FMR1 on both chromosomes, resulting in normal protein production, while others carry one mutated X and one normal X (resulting in mild impairments, some protein production) and others still carry double mutated genes (which means there is no protein production).