Down Syndrome: How much do you know?

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