Down syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of the third copy of chromosome 21. It leads impaired physical development, intellectual disabilities and developmental problems of the facial features. The average IQ level of a Down syndrome affected person is 50 which is equal to the mental IQ of an 8- or 9-year-old. However, the IQ levels are quite varied in different patients.
Down syndrome can be diagnosed during pregnancy by using prenatal screening technique followed by genetic testing.
Down syndrome is incurable; however, education and proper care can show better results. Down syndrome affected children receive specialized education. The life expectancy of a person with down syndrome is 50 to 60 years, if they're provided with proper healthcare facilities. Regular screening for health issues occurring because of down syndrome is medically advised.
This disease is one of the most usual chromosome imparities found in human beings. Out of 1000 babies, this disease can be examined in 1 baby throughout the year. In the year 2015, down syndrome was diagnosed in 5.4 million people and caused 27,000 deaths. The disease is named after the British doctor John Langdon Down, who performed a detailed analysis of this disease in 1866.

Causes

A person has 23 pairs of chromosomes in his body, one chromosome of the pair is transferred from the father, and one is transferred from the mother. But in the case of a down syndrome affected patient, an additional copy of chromosome number 21 is transferred to the child. This results in 3 copies of the chromosome which leads to causing down syndrome. The environmental factors do not play any role in this disease.

The root cause of this disease has not been discovered yet, however, women who are 35-years or above have a higher chance of getting it. In addition to that, if you’ve already given birth to a child with down syndrome then it is probable to have a baby affected by this disease in your next delivery as well as reported by stanfordchildrens.org. It is unusual for the disease to get passed on from the parents to the children unless the parent has “translocated genes”.

Prevension

There’s no proven way to prevent an individual from having down syndrome. If you know that you are at a risk of having a baby who has down syndrome or you have already delivered a baby with Down syndrome, then it is medically advised for you to consult a genetic counselor prior to pregnancy.

A genetic counselor might help you in detecting the chances of having a baby with down syndrome. Medical practitioners may also suggest certain prenatal tests.

Myth: 

Down syndrome is a rare disease

Fact: Down syndrome is a common genetic disorder, 1 in every 691 babies in the United States are affected by it.

Myth: People with down syndrome have a limited life span.

Fact: Life expectancy of a down syndrome patient has increased over the years, with developing health care facilities.

Myth: People who have down syndrome are always elated.

Fact: People with down syndrome experience normal emotions, just like other people they feel happy when something good happens around them and they feel sad in case of a depressive event.

Myth: Adults with down syndrome are incapable of being in close and healthy relationships which result in marriage.

Fact: People with down syndrome have good relationships with everyone and are very outgoing and expressive, they like to go out on dates, socialize, get into relationships, and marry their loved ones.