Down Syndrome Summary Down syndrome is a condition in which a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. People with Down syndrome can have physical problems, as well as intellectual disabilities. Every person born with Down syndrome is different. People with the syndrome may also have other health problems. They may be born with heart disease. They may have dementia. They may have hearing problems and problems with the intestines, eyes, thyroid, and skeleton. The chance of having a baby with Down syndrome increases as a woman gets older. Down syndrome cannot be cured. Early treatment programs can help improve skills. They may include speech, physical, occupational, and/or educational therapy. With support and treatment, many people with Down syndrome live happy, productive lives. NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Seniors Aging and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Association Related Issues Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome National Institute on Aging Anesthesia & Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Dental Issues & Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Down Syndrome Myths and Truths National Down Syndrome Society Down Syndrome: Education National Down Syndrome Society Down Syndrome: Eye Problems American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Dual Diagnosis of Down Syndrome & Autism National Down Syndrome Society Ear, Nose & Throat Issues & Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Heart and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Mental Health Issues & Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Sexuality and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society Speech & Language Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society What Causes Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development What Conditions or Disorders are Commonly Associated with Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Down Syndrome Society National Down Syndrome Society National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Down Syndrome National Institutes of Health Start Here Down Syndrome American Academy of Family Physicians Down Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Down Syndrome (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Facts about Down Syndrome Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What is Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development What Is Down Syndrome? National Down Syndrome Society Array Down syndrome Nuchal translucency test Children Down Syndrome (For Kids) Nemours Foundation Statistics and Research DS-Connect: The Down Syndrome Registry National Institute of Child Health and Human Development How Many People Are Affected by or at Risk for Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Encyclopedia Duodenal atresia Karyotyping Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Down syndrome National Library of Medicine Learning about Down Syndrome National Human Genome Research Institute Diagnosis and Tests How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Prenatal Tests for Down Syndrome American College of Nurse-Midwives Journal Articles Down Syndrome Symptoms What Are Common Symptoms of Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Treatments and Therapies What Are Common Treatments for Down Syndrome? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Latest News Most Families Cherish a Child with Down Syndrome, Survey Finds HealthDay