Ds Facts
Coastal Bend Down Syndrome Advocates (CBDSA)
Down Syndrome (also called Down's Syndrome in the UK and
elsewhere) encompasses a number of genetic disorders, of which
trisomy 21 (a nondisjuction) is the most representative, causing highly
variable degrees of learning difficulties as well as physical disabilities.
It is named for John Langdon-Down, the British doctor who first
described it, in the late 19th century.
Definition courtesy of wikipedia.org
elsewhere) encompasses a number of genetic disorders, of which
trisomy 21 (a nondisjuction) is the most representative, causing highly
variable degrees of learning difficulties as well as physical disabilities.
It is named for John Langdon-Down, the British doctor who first
described it, in the late 19th century.
Definition courtesy of wikipedia.org
Down syndrome Facts
Down syndrome occurs in 1 in 800 births.
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.
cluster of traits common in people with what is now known as Down
syndrome. He published his findings in 1866.
"Down" or 'Downs"? In 1975, the United States National Institutes of Health
convened a conference to standardize the name of malformations. They
recommended eliminating the possessive form: “The possessive use of an
eponym should be discontinued, since the author neither had nor owned the
disorder.” John Langdon Down first described it in 1866, but he neither had
it, nor "owned" the syndrome so it should not take on the possessive form of
Down's syndrome. (An example of possessiveness is ALS is also known as
Lou Gehrig's disease, because he had the disease.).
convened a conference to standardize the name of malformations. They
recommended eliminating the possessive form: “The possessive use of an
eponym should be discontinued, since the author neither had nor owned the
disorder.” John Langdon Down first described it in 1866, but he neither had
it, nor "owned" the syndrome so it should not take on the possessive form of
Down's syndrome. (An example of possessiveness is ALS is also known as
Lou Gehrig's disease, because he had the disease.).
In 1959 Dr. Jeremy Lejeune discovered the fact that all people with this
syndrome had an extra 21st chromosome.
syndrome had an extra 21st chromosome.
30% - 50% of the individuals with Down syndrome have heart defects and 8%
- 12% have gastrointestinal tract abnormalities present at birth. Most of these
defects are now correctable by surgery.
- 12% have gastrointestinal tract abnormalities present at birth. Most of these
defects are now correctable by surgery.
Down syndrome is not related to race, nationality, religion or socio-economic
status.
status.
Rather than saying “Down syndrome baby/child” say “A baby/child with Down
syndrome". This values the person before the syndrome.
syndrome". This values the person before the syndrome.
The "s" on syndrome is not capitalized.
Down syndrome is not an illness. A person either has Down syndrome or they
do not. Having Down syndrome does not mean the person is sick. It is wrong
to refer to people with Down syndrome as "afflicted with" or "suffering from" it.
do not. Having Down syndrome does not mean the person is sick. It is wrong
to refer to people with Down syndrome as "afflicted with" or "suffering from" it.
Down syndrome is not a condition that can be cured. However, early
intervention can help many people with Down syndrome live productive lives
well into adulthood.
intervention can help many people with Down syndrome live productive lives
well into adulthood.
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.
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.
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