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Down Syndrome

Home > Illnesses and Disabilities Home > Types of Illnesses & Disabilities > Down Syndrome

Down syndrome is the most common form of intellectual disability. Intellectual disability is a term for a group of disorders that cause intelligence to be way below normal.

Down syndrome is caused by having an extra copy of chromosome 21. Having this extra chromosome usually slows the development of the brain and body. Most people with Down syndrome have a level of intellectual functioning (IQ) that is in the mild to moderate range of intellectual disabilities. They may also be slow in developing language skills and learning to control their movements.

Some common physical signs of Down syndrome include:

• flat face with an upward slant to the eyes
• short neck
• abnormally shaped ears
• deep crease in the palm of the hand
• white spots on the colored portion of the eye
• low muscle tension
• small hands and feet

A woman's chances for having a baby with Down syndrome increases with her age, especially after the age of 35. There are several prenatal diagnostic tests that can be done to find out if your unborn baby has Down syndrome.

There is no cure for Down syndrome. But children with Down syndrome can often be helped by:

• speech therapy
• physical therapy to help them learn to control their movements
• occupational therapy to help them learn activities of daily living
• special education

With help early in life, many people with Down syndrome can live productive lives well into adulthood.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Down Syndrome - This publication contains information about Down Syndrome such as its occurrence, screening, diagnosis, and the living with DS through the different life stages.

   http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Down_Syndrome.cfm

2. Down Syndrome - This fact sheet describes the characteristics of down syndrome, employment and educational implications, as well a list of additional resources.

   http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs4txt.htm

3. Down Syndrome (Copyright © NOAH) - This Internet site contains a wealth of information on down syndrome, including basic descriptions, causes, prenatal testing, physical development, complications, concerns, management, and therapy. It includes resources from all over the United States.

   http://www.noah-health.org/en/genetic/conditions/downs/index.html

4. Down Syndrome: Caring for a Baby Who Has Down Syndrome (Copyright © AAFP) - This publication provides information to parents on how to care for a baby with Down Syndrome. It includes information on learning disorders, health problems associated with Down Syndrome, and breastfeeding challenges. There are also resources for more information.

   http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/birth/339.html...

Organizations

1.   National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC
2.   The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities , ACF, HHS
3. American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
4. Birth Defect Research for Children, Inc
5. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
6. National Association for Down Syndrome
7. National Down Syndrome Congress
8. National Down Syndrome Society

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated May 15, 2008.