Down syndrome is a type of genetic disorder in which a person has an extra chromosome (rod-like structures that contain genes) inside the cells. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatment. Read more: What Are 4 Symptoms of Down Syndrome? Article
Related Disease Conditions
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Genetic Diseases
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis. Other types of genetic diseases include multifactorial inheritance. Still other types of genetic diseases include chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
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How Can You Tell if Your Child Has Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome affects many families every year. How Down syndrome may display in each child can depend on individual factors, including what type of Down syndrome the child has. Learn the signs of Down syndrome, what causes it, and available treatments if you believe your child may have it.
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What Chromosome Causes Down Syndrome?
Get the facts on Down syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by an additional set of chromosomes in a developing fetus. Down syndrome signs and symptoms include distinctive facial features, growth retardation, and decreased mental function and IQ. Blood tests and ultrasound may be used to screen for Down syndrome but chromosome analysis of the fetus is needed to diagnose the condition. People with Down syndrome age more quickly and may develop Alzheimer's disease as young as age 40. Sometimes people are diagnosed with mosaic Down syndrome, in which case they have more than one type of chromosomal makeup.
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What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person With Down Syndrome?
The average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome is about 60 years.
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What Causes Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by abnormal cell division resulting in chromosomal abnormality. Abnormalities include an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This genetic abnormality leads to developmental and physical changes that are characteristic of Down syndrome.
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Genetic Counseling
Your health care provider may refer you to a genetic professional. Universities and medical centers also often have affiliated genetic professionals, or can provide referrals to a genetic professional or genetics clinic. Genetic counseling provides patients and family members the tools to make the right choice in regard to test for a disease or condition.
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