Publications
Partners
How much do you really know about Down syndrome? Take three minutes and brush up your knowledge.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder arising at the time of conception.
- There is an extra number 21 chromosome (Trisomy 21) which causes delays in physical and intellectual development.
- Children who have Down syndrome have broad and flat faces, flattened nose bridges and slanting eyes. They used to be called ‘mongoloid’ because of this Eastern appearance.
- The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated to be one in every 1 000 live births in developed countries and one in every 650 live births in developing countries.
- More than 80% of children with Down Syndrome are currently being born to mothers under the age of 35.
- Due to advanced medical care, the majority of people born with Down syndrome today have a life expectancy of approximately fifty-five years.
- The majority of people with Down syndrome fall in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disability.
- Their average IQ is 50, as opposed to a 100 in children who are not mentally impaired.
- Some children are much more severely affected than others and some kids with Down syndrome manage to cope in normal schools.
- Several tests can be done on pregnant women to determine their risk of having a Down syndrome baby. A positive screening test can be followed up by an amniocentesis.
(Source: Down Syndrome South Africa)
(Health24, October 2012)
Read more:
Down syndrome real life story
