Down Syndrome FactsWhen you have a child with Down Syndrome facts like these are not usuallly the first thing you look for, but here they are anyway. Whether you are doing research for yourself, a friend, or just for school here are some interesting facts about Down syndrome. For those of you who are history buffs, and just have to know... John Langdon Down, an English physician, was the first to recognize the cluster of traits common in people with what is now known as Down Syndrome. He published his findings in 1866. In 1959 Dr. Jeremy Lejeune discovered the fact that all people with this syndrome had an extra 21st chromosome.
About 1 in 800 babies is born with Down Syndrome. Though popular belief is that babies with it are born mostly to older mothers, in fact 80% of these babies are born to mothers under age 35. The likelihood of having a baby with DS goes up after that. Cause There are three types of Down Syndrome. The most common type is caused by an error in cell division which results in 3 number 21 chromosomes instead of the usual two. Hence, the other name for this genetic disorder, Trisomy 21. The other two types of this disorder are Mosaic and Translocation Down Syndrome. It is very important to remember that Down Syndrome is not caused by anything the mother did or did not do before or during the pregnancy. A large number, but certainly not all, of the babies born with Down Syndrome also have other medical conditions. These conditions range from the serious to the pretty minor. Research Eventhough 3the cause for Down Syndrome was discovered in 1959 (by Dr. Lejeune), research has only really picked up recently. The Adopt-A-Mouse program was started to help raise money to increase Down Syndrome research in mice. The sibling and classmates of a boy with Down Syndrome are the founders, so to speak, of this program . It's great to see people get involved at such a young age! Adopt your mouse today!
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**The information on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Rather, it is for educational and informational purposes only. You, the viewer, are responsible for obtaining health care for your child from his/her physician and other health care specialists. Always consult with your child's doctor before beginning any therapy programs.**
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