Down syndrome facts for kids
Down syndrome (also called trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder. This means it's a condition caused by a change in a person's genes. People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21, or part of it.
This extra chromosome affects how a person develops. People with Down syndrome often have an intellectual disability, which means they learn and understand things at a different pace. This can be mild or more significant. Children with Down syndrome usually need more time to learn new skills.
The condition is named after John Langdon Down. He was a British doctor who first described it in 1866.
Sometimes, people with Down syndrome face unfair treatment or a lack of understanding. This can happen in schools or in society. Many people with Down syndrome have average intelligence. However, they might have other developmental differences. People with Down syndrome often have a unique eye shape. Some may have more significant learning challenges.
About 1 in every 800 to 1000 babies is born with Down syndrome. Older women have a slightly higher chance of having a baby with Down syndrome.
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What Are the Features of Down Syndrome?
Babies with Down syndrome often have certain physical features that doctors can notice at birth. These features can include eyes that slant slightly upwards, a flatter nose bridge, and smaller mouths. Sometimes, their tongue might seem larger for their mouth. Their little fingers might also curve inwards. There is often a space between their big toe and the other toes.
People with Down syndrome can also have other health issues. They often have heart problems. As they get older, they might be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Most people with Down syndrome live into their teenage years. On average, a person with Down syndrome lives to be between 50 and 55 years old.
Currently, there are no specific treatments that can cure Down syndrome.
How Does Down Syndrome Happen?
Down syndrome happens because of a problem with genes and chromosomes. Humans usually have two copies of each chromosome. One copy comes from their mother, and one from their father.
People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21. This means they have three copies instead of the usual two. This extra chromosome causes the features and health issues linked to Down syndrome.
There are three main ways this extra chromosome can happen:
Trisomy 21
This is the most common cause of Down syndrome. It happens when a child gets two copies of chromosome 21 from one parent and one copy from the other parent. This results in three copies of chromosome 21 in every cell of the body.
Mosaic Down Syndrome
Sometimes, Down syndrome happens when new cells are made after a baby is conceived. In this case, some cells in the body have the extra chromosome 21, while other cells have the normal two copies. This mix of cells is called a "mosaic" pattern.
Translocation Down Syndrome
This is a less common cause. It happens when a piece of chromosome 21 breaks off and attaches to another chromosome. Even though the total number of chromosomes might still be 46, there is extra genetic material from chromosome 21. This extra material causes Down syndrome.
Well-Known People with Down Syndrome
Many people with Down syndrome have achieved great things in different fields. Here are a few examples:
- Stephane Ginnsz: An actor known for his lead role in the movie Duo (1996).
- Max Lewis: An actor who appeared in Notes on a Scandal.
- Joey Moss: A beloved locker room attendant for the Edmonton Oilers hockey team.
- Isabella Pujols: The adopted daughter of baseball star Albert Pujols, who inspired the Pujols Family Foundation.
- Paula Sage: A Scottish actress and Special Olympics netball athlete. She won awards for her role in the 2003 movie AfterLife.
- Judith Scott: A talented artist.
- Johnny Stallings: The son of former football coach Gene Stallings, whose story was told in the book Another Season.
- Miguel Tomasin: A singer with the Argentinian avant-rock band Reynols.
- Chris Burke: An American actor famous for playing "Corky Thatcher" in the TV series Life Goes On.
- Edward Barbanell: An actor who played Billy in the 2005 movie The Ringer.
- Karen Gaffney: A swimmer, activist, and motivational speaker who leads The Karen Gaffney Foundation.
- Lauren Potter: An American actor.
The Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles keeps a list of people with Down syndrome who have roles in TV and movies.
Images for kids
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A boy with Down syndrome using a cordless drill to assemble a book case
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Brushfield spots, which are small white spots sometimes seen in the colored part of the eye (iris) of a baby with Down syndrome
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The chance of having a Down syndrome pregnancy in relation to a mother's age
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Some experts believe this old painting, The Adoration of the Christ Child, shows an angel with features of Down syndrome.
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A father with his son who has Down syndrome
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An ultrasound image of a fetus with Down syndrome, showing a large bladder
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An ultrasound showing an enlarged neck area and missing nasal bone in a fetus at 11 weeks with Down syndrome
See also
In Spanish: Síndrome de Down para niños
