Down Syndrome Awareness

World Down Syndrome day occurs on March 21st each year. A global awareness day that is recognized all over the world and by the United Nations since 2012. It is a day to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, what it means to have down syndrome, and how everyone in the community can play a role in helping everyone be successful in life Moreover to bring awareness to the day the day of March 21st was selected because it is the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome that causes Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal condition. Some characteristics of Down Syndrome are

• an intellectual disability
• characteristic facial appearance 
• weak muscle tone in infancy

Individuals with Down Syndrome may have a variety of birth defects. Around half of all affected children are born with a heart defect. Individuals with Down Syndrome also have an increased risk of developing several medical conditions. Gastroesophageal reflux and celiac disease are common in those with down syndrome. In addition, those born with down syndrome may have increased hearing and vision issues, thyroid issues and higher chance to develop leukemia. 

Children with Down Syndrome often demonstrate delayed development and behavioral issues. Individuals with Down Syndrome speech and language development comes slower than others Behavioral issues of tantrums, stubbornness, attention issues, and obsessive / compulsive behavior occurs frequently as well. A few individuals with Downs Syndrome will be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders as well. 

Aging gracefully is one thing many with Down Syndrome does not do well. A gradual decline in thinking occurs as an individual with Down Syndrome nears the age of 50. The risk of Alzheimer disease goes up when an individual has Down Syndrome as well. Half of all adults with Down Syndrome will develop Alzheimer disease. 

Facts about Down Syndrome :

• Down Syndrome is named after the English doctor John Langdon Down. 
• Dr. Jerome Lejeune discovered that individuals with Down Syndrome has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
• cause of down syndrome is unknown
• The mothers age increases chance of having baby with Down Syndrome. 
• Down Syndrome does not discriminate. There are individuals of every race, nationality, rich and poor, and religious status that are born with Down Syndrome
• An estimated 400,000 individuals are in the U.S. living with Down Syndrome. There may be more than 6 million individual living with Down Syndrome world wide. 

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