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The autism spectrum disorder has always been something which fascinated me. Even as a young girl I found myself intrigued by the disorder and wanting to learn more. I had even hoped at one time to graduate with a degree in neuroscience. It didn't work out that way, but the fascination remains. It's just now I also want to learn about other disorders, diseases and syndromes.

I don't know much about Down Syndrome. I have done work with the Special Olympics and in mentoring children with Down Syndrome, but aside for the fact that I simply adored the children I really never learned much about their bodies and minds and what they were dealing with.

Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome.

What the heck does that mean?

Well, much like with what I know about autism, it means Down Syndrome effects each person in quite a unique manner. Their symptoms and impairments range from mild to moderate to severe. In short, it is all variable.

The most common form of Down syndrome is known as Trisomy 21, a condition where individuals have 47 chromosomes in each cell instead of 46. This is caused by an error in cell division called nondisjunction, which leaves a sperm or egg cell with an extra copy of chromosome 21 before or at conception.

Video About Down Syndrome - Virginia Commonwealth University


* Heart disease: Up to 50 percent of individuals with Down syndrome are born with congenital heart conditions. The majority of heart conditions in children with Down syndrome can now be surgically corrected with resulting long-term health improvements. However, scientists continue to search for the cause of these heart conditions and look for means of prevention.

* Alzheimer's disease: Estimates vary, but it is reasonable to conclude that 25 percent or more of individuals with Down syndrome over the age of 35 will develop the clinical signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's-type dementia.

* Leukemia: Approximately one in every 100 individuals with Down syndrome will develop leukemia; or, to put it another way, 99% of people with Down syndrome will not develop leukemia. The majority of cases are categorized as acute megakaryoblastic leukemia, which tends to occur in the first three years of life, and for which there is a high cure rate. A transient form of leukemia is also seen in newborns with Down syndrome, disappearing spontaneously during the first two to three months of life.

As bleak as the above might sound the people who live their lives with Down Syndrome can live fairly normal lives as long as they begin with love and support. Parents of Down Syndrome babies already report that doctors pressure them to abort. If you're doctors are not fully optimistic and proactive then get a new one.

Life expectancy for people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 60 today.

SOURCE

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