What struggles do people with Down syndrome face?

What struggles do people with Down syndrome face?

You have probably seen people who have Down syndrome. They have certain physical features, such as a flatter face and upward slanting eyes. They may have medical problems, too, such as heart defects. Kids with Down syndrome usually have trouble learning and are slower to learn how to talk and take care of themselves.

What are some specific challenges a person with Down syndrome may need to overcome?

The difficulties are in:

• Feeding. Feeding an infant or child with Down Syndrome can be challenging as most have some degree of low muscle tone or hypotonia, which affects all muscles in the body, including those of the mouth, tongue and face.
• Speech and language.
• Hearing.

What happened to people with Down syndrome in history?

Historically in the United States, the majority of people with Down syndrome and other intellectual and developmental disabilities were kept in inhumane institutions where they were deprived of education, healthcare and even plumbing.

Can a Down syndrome child look normal?

Some of the children with Mosaic Down syndrome that we know do not actually look as if they have Down syndrome – the usual physical features are not obvious. This raises some important and difficult social issues and identity issues for both parents and children, which parents have discussed with us.

What increases your chances of having a baby with Down syndrome?

A woman’s chances of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome increase with age because older eggs have a greater risk of improper chromosome division. A woman’s risk of conceiving a child with Down syndrome increases after 35 years of age.

Is it the parents fault for Down syndrome?

Scientists agree that Down syndrome can be attributed to the father in 5 to 10 percent of cases, and some believe that number may be as high as 20 percent.

Can bad sperm cause Down syndrome?

If this egg or sperm is fertilized, then the baby will have 3 copies of chromosome number 21. This is called trisomy 21. Sometimes the extra number 21 chromosome or part of it is attached to another chromosome in the egg or sperm. This may cause translocation Down syndrome.

At what age is Down syndrome a risk?

Maternal Age: Down syndrome can occur at any maternal age, but the possibility increases as a woman gets older. A 25-year-old woman has a one in 1,200 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome. By 35 years of age, the risk increases to one in 350—and it becomes one in 100 by age 40.

What is considered a high risk of Down syndrome?

Patients are more likely to have a baby with Down syndrome or another chromosome abnormality when they are age 35 or older, or if they have already had a child with such an abnormality. These patients are considered “high-risk” and have additional testing options.

Can stress cause Down syndrome?

Down syndrome, which arises from a chromosome defect, is likely to have a direct link with the increase in stress levels seen in couples during the time of conception, say Surekha Ramachandran, founder of Down Syndrome Federation of India, who has been studying about the same ever since her daughter was diagnosed with …

How often is Down syndrome missed?

Does the First Trimester Test or the Integrated Test detect all pregnancies with Down syndrome? No. About eight or nine out of 10 cases of Down syndrome are detected (classified as screen positive). This means that one or two out of 10 pregnancies with Down syndrome are missed (classified as screen negative).

What part of the body does Down syndrome affect?

Down syndrome, the most common chromosome-related genetic condition in the U.S., affects development of the brain and body. People with Down syndrome face physical and mental challenges, but can lead full and happy lives.

What birth defects are caused by stress?

Increased stress was associated with an increased risk of spina bifida and anencephaly particularly among women who did not take folic acid supplements.