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5 Things You Must Know About Downs Syndrome

1. Downs Syndrome also called Trisomy 21, and this occurs at conception. An individual receives 23 chromosomes from the mother and 23 chromosomes from the father. In Downs Syndrome, a 3rd chromosome 21 inherited in approximately 95% of individuals with Downs Syndrome. Some individuals receive extra genes of chromosome 21 not the whole chromosome, and these extra genes usually attach to chromosome 14. 3 to 4 percent of individuals inherit this abnormality, called translocation, and is usually a random occurrence during conception. Mosaic Down Syndrome occurs 2 to 4 percent of the time, but not all the cells in the body receive the extra genes from chromosome 21, and often the individual does not have the typical physical characteristics and mental impairments of Downs Syndrome and often goes undetected.

2. Individuals with Downs Syndrome have highly distinctive characteristics. The physical characteristics can include a flattened face and nose, upward slanting eyes, small ears, and an unusually small mouth often with an extremely large tongue. The hands are often short but wide, with short fingers and one crease in the palm of the hand. The individual is often short as growth is delayed. Mental impairment can range from mild to severe. Those with Downs Syndrome also have a distinctive speech pattern that is easily recognizable.

3. Many different medical conditions associated with Downs Syndrome are moderate to severe. The most serious is congenital heart defects. The severity differs with each individual, some need heart surgery to correct these defects. Leukemia is also a common medical condition that occurs with those diagnosed with Downs Syndrome. Other conditions that plague those with Downs Syndrome are hearing loss, frequent ear infections, obesity, visual problems, seizures, and dementia to name a few. The advances in medical science are helping with these problems. Rarely behavior issues are a problem, as those with Downs Syndrome are exceedingly happy and extremely friendly.

4. Mental impairment can range from mild to severe, and this condition is the most common associated with Downs Syndrome. There is no cure for this condition and individuals will have learning problems their entire life. Those with mild impairment can learn basic life skills, and many can get jobs doing things such as sweeping and cleaning. Many times these individuals will have to be reminded of the activity and supervised so the job gets done. Those with Downs Syndrome have smaller brains, and certain areas such as the hippocampus, responsible for learning and memory, have been found to be affected.

5. Those with Downs Syndrome age faster than average and because of this memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease occur at an earlier age than the average. The odds of developing hyperthyroidism and seizures also becomes greater at an earlier age. Dementia and Alzheimers are harder to detect and diagnose as the individual already has impaired mental capacities. Family members should be aware of this and watch for any changes in the mental capacity of their loved one for early diagnosis and treatment. Because of the advances in medical science those with Downs Syndrome are living longer, happier and healthier lives than those in the past.