What is Down Syndrome?

Contents

Down Syndrome: Introduction
Types of Down Syndrome
Prognosis
Complications
Prevalence
Other names for Down Syndrome
What causes Down Syndrome?
What are the symptoms of Down Syndrome?
Organs Affected by Down Syndrome
Can anyone else get Down Syndrome?
How is it treated?
Society issues for Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome: Introduction

What is Down Syndrome?

A genetic chromosomal syndrome affecting physical features and usually causing mental retardation. It is caused by having an ...more »

Down Syndrome: A chromosome syndrome causing physical effects and mental retardation.
Down Syndrome: A chromosomal dysgenesis syndrome resulting from a triplication or translocation of chromosome 21. Down syndrome occurs in approximately 1:700 live births. Abnormalities are variable from individual to individual and may include mental retardation, retarded growth, flat hypoplastic face with short nose, prominent epicanthic skin folds, small low-set ears with prominent antihelix, fissured and thickened tongue, laxness of joint ligaments, pelvic dysplasia, broad hands and feet, stubby fingers, transverse palmar crease, lenticular opacities and heart disease. Patients with Down syndrome have an estimated 10 to 30-fold increased risk for leukemia; most have symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by age 40. Also known as trisomy 21 syndrome. --2004
Source - Diseases Database
Down Syndrome: a congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome; results in a flat face and short stature and mental retardation.
Source - WordNet 2.1

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Down Syndrome as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet

Down Syndrome: Introduction

Types of Down Syndrome:

Types of Down Syndrome:

Translocation Down Syndrome (type of Translocation Chromosome Disorders)
Familial Down Syndrome
Mosaic Down Syndrome
more types...»

Broader types of Down Syndrome:

How many people get Down Syndrome?

Incidence (annual) of Down Syndrome: 1-in-800 overall births
Incidence Rate of Down Syndrome: approx 1 in 800 or 0.12% or 340,000 people in USA [about data]

How serious is Down Syndrome?

Prognosis of Down Syndrome: Moderate. Survival rates are high but with mental retardation and a reduced life span due to various conditions.
Complications of Down Syndrome: see complications of Down Syndrome

What causes Down Syndrome?

Causes of Down Syndrome: see causes of Down Syndrome
Risk factors for Down Syndrome: see risk factors for Down Syndrome

What are the symptoms of Down Syndrome?

Symptoms of Down Syndrome: see symptoms of Down Syndrome

Complications of Down Syndrome: see complications of Down Syndrome

Can anyone else get Down Syndrome?

Inheritance of genetic conditions: see details in inheritance of genetic diseases.

Down Syndrome: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Down Syndrome.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Down Syndrome.

How is it treated?

Treatments for Down Syndrome: see treatments for Down Syndrome
Research for Down Syndrome: see research for Down Syndrome

Society issues for Down Syndrome

Hospitalization statistics for Down Syndrome: The following are statistics from various sources about hospitalizations and Down Syndrome:

0.008% (1,030) of hospital consultant episodes were for Down’s Syndrome in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
90% of hospital consultant episodes for Down’s Syndrome required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
64% of hospital consultant episodes for Down’s Syndrome were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
36% of hospital consultant episodes for Down’s Syndrome were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
14% of hospital consultant episodes for Down’s Syndrome required emergency hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
14.4 days was the mean length of stay in hospitals for Down’s Syndrome in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
more statistics...»