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

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Start Here

• About Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Down Syndrome (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Down Syndrome in Adults: Staying Healthy American Academy of Family Physicians
• Facts about Down Syndrome Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• What is Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Related Issues

• ADHD and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Alzheimer’s Disease in People with Down Syndrome National Institute on Aging
• Blood Diseases and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Dentistry and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Down Syndrome: Eye Problems American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Dual Diagnosis of Down Syndrome and Autism National Down Syndrome Society
• Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Endocrine Conditions and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Gastrointestinal System and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Mental Health and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• Sleep and Down Syndrome National Down Syndrome Society
• What Causes Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• What Conditions or Disorders Are Commonly Associated with Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Diagnosis and Tests

• Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test National Library of Medicine
• Down Syndrome Tests National Library of Medicine
• How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Find an Expert

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• March of Dimes Foundation March of Dimes Foundation
• National Down Syndrome Society National Down Syndrome Society

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Down Syndrome National Institutes of Health

Patient Handouts

• Down syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
• Nuchal translucency test Medical Encyclopedia

Children

• Down Syndrome (For Kids) Nemours Foundation

Genetics

• Down syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Learning about Down Syndrome National Human Genome Research Institute

Statistics and Research

• DS-Connect: The Down Syndrome Registry Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• High Rates of Dementia, Alzheimer’s Observed Among Older People with Down Syndrome Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Who Is at Risk for Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Encyclopedia

• Duodenal atresia Medical Encyclopedia
• Karyotyping Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Down Syndrome

Symptoms

• What Are Common Symptoms of Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Treatments and Therapies

• What Are Common Treatments for Down Syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development