Down syndrome (United States) or Down's syndrome (United Kingdom and other English-speaking nations), also known as trisomy 21, is a
genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of
chromosome 21.[3] It is usually associated with
developmental delays, mild to moderate
intellectual disability, and characteristic physical features.[1][12] There are three types of Down syndrome, the most common being trisomy 21.
Mosaic Down syndrome accounts for two per cent of Down syndrome cases, and
Translocation Down syndrome accounts for three per cent of cases.[13][14]
The parents of the affected individual are usually
genetically normal.[15] The probability increases from less than 0.1% in 20-year-old mothers to 3% in those of age 45.[4] The extra chromosome is provided at conception as the egg and sperm combine.[16] In some cases very small percentage of 1–2% gets the additional chromosome in the embryo stage and it only impacts some of the cells in the body; this is known as Mosaic Down syndrome.[17][18] Usually, babies get 23 chromosomes from each parent for a total of 46, whereas in Down syndrome, a third 21st chromosome is attached.[18] It is believed to occur by chance, with no known behavioral activity or environmental factor that changes the probability.[2] Down syndrome can be identified during pregnancy by
prenatal screening, followed by diagnostic testing, or after birth by direct observation and
genetic testing.[6] Since the introduction of screening, Down syndrome
pregnancies are often
aborted (rates varying from 50 to 85% depending on maternal age, gestational age, and maternal race/ethnicity).[19][20][21]
There is no cure for Down syndrome.[22] Education and proper care have been shown to provide good
quality of life.[7] Some children with Down syndrome are educated in typical school classes, while others require more
specialized education.[8] Some individuals with Down syndrome graduate from
high school, and a few attend
post-secondary education.[23] In adulthood, about 20% in the United States do paid work in some capacity,[24] with many requiring a sheltered work environment.[8] Support in financial and legal matters is often needed.[10] Life expectancy is around 50 to 60 years in the
developed world, with proper health care.[9][10] Regular
screening for health issues common in Down syndrome is recommended throughout the person's life.[9]
Down syndrome is the most common
chromosomal abnormality.[25] It occurs in about 1 in 1,000 babies born each year.[1] In the US this figure is given as one in 700 births.[13] In 2015, Down syndrome was present in 5.4 million individuals globally and resulted in 27,000 deaths, down from 43,000 deaths in 1990.[11][26][27] It is named after British physician
John Langdon Down, who fully described the syndrome in 1866.[28] Some aspects of the condition were described earlier by French psychiatrist
Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol in 1838 and French physician
Édouard Séguin in 1844.[29] The genetic cause of Down syndrome was discovered in 1959.[28]
Signs and symptoms
Those with Down syndrome nearly always have physical and intellectual disabilities.[30] As adults, their mental abilities are typically similar to those of an 8- or 9-year-old.[9] At the same time, their emotional and social awareness is very high.[31] They can have
poor immune function[15] and generally reach
developmental milestones at a later age.[10] They have an increased risk of a number of health concerns, such as
congenital heart defect,
epilepsy,
leukemia, and
thyroid diseases.[28]
People with Down syndrome may have these physical characteristics: a
small chin,
epicanthic folds,
low muscle tone, a flat
nasal bridge, a
single crease of the palm, and a protruding tongue. A protruding tongue is caused by low tone and weak facial muscles, and often corrected with myofunctional exercises.[39] Some characteristic airway features can lead to
obstructive sleep apnea in around half of those with Down syndrome.[28] Other common features include: excessive joint flexibility, extra space between
big toe and second toe, single palm lines and short fingers.[33][36]
Instability of the
atlantoaxial joint occurs in about 1–2%.[40] Atlantoaxial instability may cause
myelopathy due to cervical spinal cord compression later in life, this often manifests as new onset weakness,
problems with coordination, bowel or bladder incontinence, and gait dysfunction.[41] Serial imaging cannot reliably predict future cervical cord compression, but changes can be seen on neurological exam. The condition is surgically corrected with spine surgery.[41]
Growth in height is slower, resulting in adults who tend to have
short stature—the average height for men is 154 centimetres (5 feet 1 inch), and for women is 142 centimetres (4 feet 8 inches).[42] Individuals with Down syndrome are at increased risk for
obesity as they age due to hypothyroidism, other medical issues and lifestyle.[28][43]Growth charts have been developed specifically for children with Down syndrome.[28]
Neurological
This syndrome causes about a third of cases of intellectual disability.[15] Many developmental milestones are delayed with the ability to crawl typically occurring around 8–22 months rather than 6–12 months, and the ability to walk independently typically occurring around 1–4 years rather than 9–18 months.[44] Walking is acquired in 50% of children after 24 months.[45]
Most individuals with Down syndrome have mild (IQ: 50–69) or moderate (IQ: 35–50)
intellectual disability with some cases having severe (IQ: 20–35) difficulties.[1][46] Those with mosaic Down syndrome typically have IQ scores 10–30 points higher than that.[47] As they age, the gap tends to widen between people with Down syndrome and their same-age peers.[46][48]
Commonly, individuals with Down syndrome have better language understanding than ability to speak.[28][46]Babbling typically emerges around 15 months on average.[49] 10–45% of those with Down syndrome have either a
stutter or
rapid and irregular speech, making it difficult to understand them.[50] After reaching 30 years of age, some may lose their ability to speak.[9]
They typically do fairly well with social skills.[28] Behavior problems are not generally as great an issue as in other syndromes associated with intellectual disability.[46] In children with Down syndrome,
mental illness occurs in nearly 30% with
autism occurring in 5–10%.[10] People with Down syndrome experience a wide range of emotions.[51] While people with Down syndrome are generally happy,[52] symptoms of
depression and
anxiety may develop in early adulthood.[9]
Children and adults with Down syndrome are at increased risk of
epileptic seizures, which occur in 5–10% of children and up to 50% of adults.[9] This includes an increased risk of a specific type of seizure called
infantile spasms.[28] Many (15%) who live 40 years or longer develop
Alzheimer's disease.[53] In those who reach 60 years of age, 50–70% have the disease.[9]
Hearing and vision disorders occur in more than half of people with Down syndrome.[28]
Ocular findings
Brushfield spots (small white or grayish/brown spots on the periphery of the
iris), upward slanting
palpebral fissures (the opening between the upper and lower lids) and
epicanthal folds (folds of skin between the upper eyelid and the nose) are clinical signs at birth suggesting the diagnosis of Down syndrome[56][57] especially in the
Western World.[57] None of these requires treatment.[citation needed]
Visually significant congenital
cataracts (clouding of the
lens of the eye) occur more frequently with Down syndrome.[57]Neonates with Down syndrome should be screened for cataract because early recognition and referral reduce the risk of vision loss from
amblyopia.[58] Dot-like opacities in the cortex of the
lens (cerulean cataract) are present in up to 50% of people with Down syndrome, but may be followed without treatment if they are not visually significant.[57]
Strabismus,
nystagmus and
nasolacrimal duct obstruction occur more frequently in children with Down syndrome.[57] Screening for these diagnoses should begin within six months of birth.[57][58] Strabismus is more often acquired than
congenital.[57] Early diagnosis and treatment of strabismus reduces the risk of vision loss from amblyopia.[59] In Down syndrome, the presence of epicanthal folds may give the false impression of
strabismus, referred to as
pseudostabismus. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction, which causes tearing (
epiphora), is more frequently bilateral and multifactorial than in children without Down syndrome.[57]
Refractive error is more common with Down syndrome, though the rate may not differ until after twelve months of age compared to children without Down syndrome.[57] Early screening is recommended to identify and treat significant refractive error with glasses or contact lenses. Poor
accommodation (ability to focus on close objects) is associated with Down syndrome, which may mean bifocals are indicated.[57]
In
keratoconus, the
cornea progressively thins and bulges into a cone shape,[60] causing visual blurring or distortion. Keratoconus first presents in the teen years and progresses into the thirties.[60][61] Down syndrome is a strong risk factor for developing keratoconus, and onset may be occur at a younger age than in those without Down syndrome.[57] Eye rubbing is also a risk factor for developing keratoconus.[61] It is speculated that chronic eye irritation from
blepharitis may increase eye rubbing in Down syndrome,[57] contributing to the increased prevalence of keratoconus.
An association between
glaucoma and Down syndrome is often cited.[56] Glaucoma in children with Down syndrome is uncommon, with a prevalence of less than 1%.[56][57] It is currently unclear if the prevalence of glaucoma in those with Down syndrome differs from that in the absence of Down syndrome.[57]
Estimates of
prevalence of ocular findings in Down Syndrome vary widely depending on the study.[57] Some prevalence estimates follow. Vision problems have been observed in 38–80% of cases.[56]Brushfield spots are present in 38–85% of individuals.[56] Between 20 and 50% have
strabismus.[56]Cataracts occur in 15%,[62] and may be present at birth.[56]Keratoconus may occur in as many as 21–30%.[57]
Hearing Loss
Hearing problems are found in 50–90% of children with Down syndrome.[63] This is often the result of
otitis media with effusion which occurs in 50–70%[10] and chronic
ear infections which occur in 40–60%.[64] Ear infections often begin in the first year of life and are partly due to poor
eustachian tube function.[65][66] Excessive
ear wax can also cause hearing loss due to obstruction of the outer
ear canal.[9] Even a mild degree of hearing loss can have negative consequences for speech, language understanding, and academics.[1][66] It is important to rule out hearing loss as a factor in social and cognitive deterioration.[67] Age-related hearing loss of the
sensorineural type occurs at a much earlier age and affects 10–70% of people with Down syndrome.[9]
Although the overall risk of
cancer in Down syndrome is not changed,[69] the risk of
testicular cancer and certain blood cancers, including
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and
acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is increased while the risk of other non-blood cancers is decreased.[9] People with Down syndrome are believed to have an increased risk of developing cancers derived from
germ cells whether these cancers are blood- or non-blood-related.[70] In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced a distinct classification for myeloid proliferation in individuals with Down syndrome.[71]
Blood cancers
Leukemia is 10 to 15 times more common in children with Down syndrome.[28] In particular,
acute lymphoblastic leukemia is 20 times more common and the megakaryoblastic form of
acute myeloid leukemia (
acute megakaryoblastic leukemia), is 500 times more common.[72] Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) is a leukemia of
megakaryoblasts, the precursors cells to
megakaryocytes which form blood
platelets.[72] Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Down syndrome accounts for 1–3% of all childhood cases of ALL. It occurs most often in those older than nine years or having a
white blood cell count greater than 50,000 per
microliter and is rare in those younger than one year old. ALL in Down syndrome tends to have poorer outcomes than other cases of ALL in people without Down syndrome.[72][73] In short, the likelihood of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and
acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is higher in children with Down syndrome compared to those without Down syndrome.[74]
Myeloid leukemia typically precedes Down syndrome and is accompanied by a condition known as
transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM), which generally disrupts the differentiation of megakaryocytes and erythrocytes.[75] In Down syndrome, AMKL is typically preceded by
transient myeloproliferative disease (TMD), a disorder of
blood cell production in which non-cancerous megakaryoblasts with a mutation in the GATA1 gene rapidly divide during the later period of pregnancy.[72][76] GATA1 mutations combined with trisomy 21 contribute to a predisposition to TAM.[77] In trisomy 21, the process of leukemogenesis starts in early fetal life, with genetic factors, including GATA1 mutations, contributing to the development of TAM on the preleukemic pathway.[75] The condition affects 3–10% of babies with Down.[72] While it often spontaneously resolves within three months of birth, it can cause serious blood, liver, or other complications.[78] In about 10% of cases, TMD progresses to AMKL during the three months to five years following its resolution.[72][78][77]
Non-blood cancers
People with Down syndrome have a lower risk of all major solid cancers, including those of lung, breast, and cervix, with the lowest relative rates occurring in those aged 50 years or older.[70] This low risk is thought to be due to an increase in the expression of
tumor suppressor genes present on chromosome 21.[79][70] One exception is testicular
germ cell cancer which occurs at a higher rate in Down syndrome.[70]
People with Down syndrome tend to be more susceptible to
gingivitis as well as early, severe
periodontal disease,
necrotising ulcerative gingivitis, and early
tooth loss, especially in the lower front teeth.[82][83] While
plaque and poor
oral hygiene are contributing factors, the severity of these periodontal diseases cannot be explained solely by external factors.[83] Research suggests that the severity is likely a result of a weakened immune system.[83][84] The weakened immune system also contributes to increased incidence of
yeast infections in the mouth (from Candida albicans).[84]
People with Down syndrome also tend to have a more
alkalinesaliva resulting in a greater resistance to
tooth decay, despite decreased quantities of saliva,[85] less effective oral hygiene habits, and higher plaque indexes.[82][84][85][86]
Higher rates of tooth wear and
bruxism are also common.[84] Other common oral manifestations of Down syndrome include enlarged hypotonic tongue, crusted and hypotonic lips,
mouth breathing, narrow
palate with crowded teeth, class III
malocclusion with an underdeveloped maxilla and posterior
crossbite, delayed exfoliation of
baby teeth and delayed eruption of adult teeth, shorter roots on teeth, and often missing and malformed (usually smaller) teeth.[82][84][85][86] Less common manifestations include
cleft lip and palate and
enamel hypocalcification (20% prevalence).[86]
Taurodontism, an elongation of the pulp chamber, has a high prevalence in people with DS.[87][88]
Fertility
Males with Down syndrome usually do not father children, while females have lower rates of
fertility relative to those who are unaffected.[89] Fertility is estimated to be present in 30–50% of females.[90]Menopause usually occurs at an earlier age.[9] The poor fertility in males is thought to be due to problems with
sperm development; however, it may also be related to not being sexually active.[89] As of 2006, three instances of males with Down syndrome fathering children and 26 cases of females having children have been reported.[89] Without
assisted reproductive technologies, around half of the children of someone with Down syndrome will also have the syndrome.[89][91]
The cause of the extra full or partial chromosome is still unknown.[92] Most of the time, Down syndrome is caused by a random mistake in cell division during early development of the fetus, but not inherited,[93] and there is no scientific research which shows that environmental factors or the parents' activities contribute to Down syndrome. The only factor that has been linked to the increased chance of having a baby with Down syndrome is advanced parental age. This is mostly associated with
advanced maternal age but about 10 per cent of cases are associated with advanced
paternal age.[94]
Down syndrome is caused by having three copies of the
genes on
chromosome 21, rather than the usual two.[3][95] The parents of the affected individual are typically genetically normal.[15] Those who have one child with Down syndrome have about a 1% possibility of having a second child with the syndrome, if both parents are found to have normal
karyotypes.[90]
The extra chromosome content can arise through several different ways. The most common cause (about 92–95% of cases) is a complete extra copy of chromosome 21, resulting in
trisomy 21.[91][96] In 1–2.5% of cases, some of the cells in the body are normal and others have trisomy 21, known as
mosaic Down syndrome.[90][97] The other common mechanisms that can give rise to Down syndrome include: a
Robertsonian translocation,
isochromosome, or
ring chromosome. These contain additional material from chromosome 21 and occur in about 2.5% of cases.[28][90] An isochromosome results when the two
long arms of a chromosome separate together rather than the long and
short arm separating together during
egg or sperm development.[91]
Trisomy 21
Down syndrome (also known by the
karyotype 47,XX,+21 for females and 47,XY,+21 for males)[98] is mostly caused by a failure of the 21st chromosome to separate during egg or sperm development, known as
nondisjunction.[91] As a result, a sperm or egg cell is produced with an extra copy of chromosome 21; this cell thus has 24 chromosomes. When combined with a normal cell from the other parent, the baby has 47 chromosomes, with three copies of chromosome 21.[3][91] About 88% of cases of trisomy 21 result from nonseparation of the chromosomes in the mother, 8% from nonseparation in the father, and 3% after the egg and sperm have merged.[99]
Mosaic Down syndrome
Mosaic Down syndrome is diagnosed when there is a mixture of two types of cells: some cells have three copies of chromosome 21 but some cells have the typical two copies of chromosome 21.[13] This type is the least common form of Down syndrome and accounts for only about 1% of all cases.[92] Children with mosaic Down syndrome may have the same features as other children with Down syndrome. However, they may have fewer characteristics of the condition due to the presence of some (or many) cells with a typical number of chromosomes.[13]
Translocation Down syndrome
The extra chromosome 21 material may also occur due to a
Robertsonian translocation in 2–4% of cases.[90][100] In this translocation Down syndrome, the long arm of chromosome 21 is attached to another chromosome, often
chromosome 14.[101] In a male affected with Down syndrome, it results in a karyotype of 46XY,t(14q21q).[101][102] This may be a new mutation or previously present in one of the parents.[103] The parent with such a translocation is usually normal physically and mentally;[101] however, during production of egg or sperm cells, a higher chance of creating reproductive cells with extra chromosome 21 material exists.[100] This results in a 15% chance of having a child with Down syndrome when the mother is affected and a less than 5% probability if the father is affected.[103] The probability of this type of Down syndrome is not related to the mother's age.[101] Some children without Down syndrome may inherit the translocation and have a higher probability of having children of their own with Down syndrome.[101] In this case it is sometimes known as familial Down syndrome.[104]
Mechanism
The extra genetic material present in Down syndrome results in overexpression of a portion of the 310 genes located on chromosome 21.[95] This overexpression has been estimated at 50%, due to the third copy of the chromosome present.[90] Some research has suggested the Down syndrome critical region is located at bands 21q22.1–q22.3,[105] with this area including genes for the
amyloid precursor protein,
superoxide dismutase, and likely the
ETS2 proto
oncogene.[106] Other research, however, has not confirmed these findings.[95]MicroRNAs are also proposed to be involved.[107]
The dementia that occurs in Down syndrome is due to an excess of
amyloid betapeptide produced in the brain and is similar to
Alzheimer's disease, which also involves amyloid beta build-up.[108] Amyloid beta is processed from amyloid precursor protein, the gene for which is located on chromosome 21.[108]Senile plaques and
neurofibrillary tangles are present in nearly all by 35 years of age, though dementia may not be present.[15] It is hypothesized that those with Down syndrome lack a normal number of
lymphocytes and produce less
antibodies which is said to present an increased risk of infection.[28]
Epigenetics
Down syndrome is associated with an increased risk of some chronic diseases that are typically associated with older age such as Alzheimer's disease. It is believed that accelerated aging occurs and increases the biological age of tissues, but molecular evidence for this hypothesis is sparse. According to a biomarker of tissue age known as
epigenetic clock, it is hypothesized that trisomy 21 increases the age of blood and brain tissue (on average by 6.6 years).[109]
Diagnosis
Screening before birth
Guidelines recommend screening for Down syndrome to be offered to all pregnant women, regardless of age.[110][111] A number of tests are used, with varying levels of accuracy. They are typically used in combination to increase the detection rate.[28] None can be definitive; thus, if screening predicts a high possibility of Down syndrome, either
amniocentesis or
chorionic villus sampling is required to confirm the diagnosis.[110]
Ultrasound
Prenatal ultrasound can be used to screen for Down syndrome. Findings that indicate increased chances when seen at 14 to 24 weeks of
gestation include a small or no nasal bone,
large ventricles,
nuchal fold thickness, and an abnormal right
subclavian artery, among others.[112] The presence or absence of many markers is more accurate.[112] Increased fetal
nuchal translucency (NT) indicates an increased possibility of Down syndrome picking up 75–80% of cases and being falsely positive in 6%.[113]
Ultrasound of fetus with Down syndrome showing a
large bladder
Enlarged NT and absent nasal bone in a fetus at 11 weeks with Down syndrome
Blood tests
Several blood markers can be measured to predict the chances of Down syndrome during the first or second trimester.[114][115] Testing in both trimesters is sometimes recommended and test results are often combined with ultrasound results.[114] In the second trimester, often two or three tests are used in combination with two or three of:
α-fetoprotein, unconjugated estriol, total hCG, and free βhCG detecting about 60–70% of cases.[115]
Testing of the mother's blood for fetal DNA is being studied and appears promising in the first trimester.[116][117] The International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis considers it a reasonable screening option for those women whose pregnancies are at a high likelihood of trisomy 21.[118] Accuracy has been reported at 98.6% in the first trimester of pregnancy.[28] Confirmatory testing by invasive techniques (amniocentesis, CVS) is still required to confirm the screening result.[118]
A blood sample is taken from the mother by
venipuncture and is sent for DNA analysis.
Efficacy
For combinations of ultrasonography and non-genetic blood tests, screening in both the first and second trimesters is better than just screening in the first trimester.[110] The different screening techniques in use are able to pick up 90–95% of cases, with a false-positive rate of 2–5%.[114] If Down syndrome occurs in one in 500 pregnancies with a 90% detection rate and the test used has a 5% false-positive rate, this means, of 20 women who test positive on screening, only one will not have a fetus with Down syndrome confirmed.[114] If the screening test has a 2% false-positive rate, this means, of 50 women who test positive on screening, one will not have a fetus with Down syndrome.[114]
Invasive genetic testing
Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling are more reliable tests, but they increase the risk of
miscarriage by between 0.5–1%.[121] The risk of limb problems may be increased in the offspring if chorionic villus sampling is performed before 10 weeks.[121]
The risk from the procedure is greater the earlier it is performed, thus amniocentesis is not recommended before 15 weeks gestational age and chorionic villus sampling before 10 weeks gestational age.[121]
Abortion rates
About 92% of pregnancies in Europe with a diagnosis of Down syndrome are terminated.[21] As a result, there is almost no one with Down syndrome in
Iceland and
Denmark, where screening is commonplace.[123] In the United States, the termination rate after diagnosis is around 75%,[123] but varies from 61 to 93%, depending on the population surveyed.[20] Rates are lower among women who are younger and have decreased over time.[20] When asked if they would have a termination if their fetus tested positive, 23–33% said yes, when high-risk pregnant women were asked, 46–86% said yes, and when women who screened positive are asked, 89–97% say yes.[124]
After birth
The diagnosis can often be suspected based on the child's physical appearance at birth.[10] Informing the parents of a diagnosis needs to be made as soon as possible, with care and sensitivity. Even an uncertain diagnosis needs to be informed of in the same way.[125] This allows for a longer time for processing the information.[125]
An analysis of the child's chromosomes is needed to confirm the diagnosis, and to determine if a
translocation is present, as this may help determine the chances of the child's parents having further children with Down syndrome.[10]
Management
Efforts such as
early childhood intervention, therapies, screening for common medical issues, a good family environment, and work-related training can improve the development of children with Down syndrome and provide good quality of life. Common therapies utilized include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.[126] Education and proper care can provide a positive
quality of life.[7] Typical childhood
vaccinations are recommended.[28]
A number of health organizations have issued recommendations for
screening those with Down syndrome for particular diseases.[127] This is recommended to be done systematically.[28]
At birth, all children should get an
electrocardiogram and
ultrasound of the heart.[28] Surgical repair of heart problems may be required as early as three months of age.[28]Heart valve problems may occur in young adults, and further ultrasound evaluation may be needed in adolescents and in early adulthood.[28] Due to the elevated risk of testicular cancer, some recommend checking the person's testicles yearly.[9]
Cognitive development
Some people with Down syndrome experience hearing loss. In this instance,
hearing aids or other amplification devices can be useful for language learning.[28]Speech therapy may be useful and is recommended to be started around nine months of age.[28] As those with Down syndrome typically have good hand-eye coordination, learning
sign language is a helpful communication tool.[46]Augmentative and alternative communication methods, such as pointing, body language, objects, or pictures, are often used to help with communication.[128] Behavioral issues and mental illness are typically managed with counseling or medications.[10]
Education programs before reaching school age may be useful.[1] School-age children with Down syndrome may benefit from
inclusive education (whereby students of differing abilities are placed in classes with their peers of the same age), provided some adjustments are made to the curriculum.[129] In the United States, the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 requires public schools generally to allow attendance by students with Down syndrome.[130]
Individuals with Down syndrome may learn better visually. Drawing may help with language, speech, and reading skills. Children with Down syndrome still often have difficulty with sentence structure and grammar, as well as developing the ability to speak clearly.[131] Several types of early intervention can help with cognitive development. Efforts to develop motor skills include physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses specifically on motor development and teaching children to interact with their environment. Speech and language therapy can help prepare for later language. Lastly, occupational therapy can help with skills needed for later independence.[132]
Between 5–15% of children with Down syndrome in Sweden attend regular school.[137] Some graduate from high school; however, most do not.[23] Of those with intellectual disability in the United States who attended high school about 40% graduated.[138] Many learn to read and write and some are able to do paid work.[23] In adulthood about 20% in the United States do paid work in some capacity.[24][139] In Sweden, however, less than 1% have regular jobs.[137] Many are able to live semi-independently,[15] but they often require help with financial, medical, and legal matters.[10] Those with mosaic Down syndrome usually have better outcomes.[90]
Individuals with Down syndrome have a higher risk of early death than the general population.[28] This is most often from heart problems or infections.[1][9] Following improved medical care, particularly for heart and
gastrointestinal problems, the life expectancy has increased.[1] This increase has been from 12 years in 1912,[140] to 25 years in the 1980s,[1] to 50 to 60 years in the developed world in the 2000s.[9][10] Data collected between the 1985–2003 showed between 4–12% infants with Down syndrome die in the first year of life.[78] The probability of long-term survival is partly determined by the presence of heart problems. From research at the turn of the century, it tracked those with congenital heart problems, showing 60% survived to at least 10 years and 50% survived to at least 30 years of age. The research failed to track further aging beyond 30 years.[15] In those without heart problems, 85% studied survived to at least 10 years and 80% survived to at least 30 years of age.[15] It is estimated that 10% lived to 70 years of age in the early 2000s.[91] Much of this data is outdated and life expectancy has drastically improved with more equitable healthcare and continuous advancement of surgical practice.[141] The
National Down Syndrome Society provides information regarding raising a child with Down syndrome.[142]
Epidemiology
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality in humans.[9] Globally, as of 2010[update], Down syndrome occurs in about 1 per 1,000 births[1] and results in about 17,000 deaths.[143] More children are born with Down syndrome in countries where abortion is not allowed and in countries where pregnancy more commonly occurs at a later age.[1] About 1.4 per 1,000 live births in the United States[144] and 1.1 per 1,000 live births in Norway are affected.[9] In the 1950s, in the United States, it occurred in 2 per 1,000 live births with the decrease since then due to prenatal screening and abortions.[103] The number of pregnancies with Down syndrome is more than two times greater with many spontaneously aborting.[10] It is the cause of 8% of all
congenital disorders.[1]
Maternal age affects the chances of having a pregnancy with Down syndrome.[4] At age 20, the chance is 1 in 1,441; at age 30, it is 1 in 959; at age 40, it is 1 in 84; and at age 50 it is 1 in 44.[4] Although the probability increases with maternal age, 70% of children with Down syndrome are born to women 35 years of age and younger, because younger people have more children.[4] The
father's older age is also a risk factor in women older than 35, but not in women younger than 35, and may partly explain the increase in risk as women age.[145]
History
English physician
John Langdon Down first described Down syndrome in 1862, recognizing it as a distinct type of mental disability, and again in a more widely published report in 1866.[28][147][148]Édouard Séguin described it as separate from
cretinism in 1844.[29][149] By the 20th century, Down syndrome had become the most recognizable form of mental disability.
Due to his perception that children with Down syndrome shared facial similarities with those of
Blumenbach's Mongoloid race, John Langdon Down used the term "
mongoloid".[150] He felt that the existence of Down syndrome confirmed that all peoples were genetically related.[151] In the 1950s with discovery of the underlying cause as being related to chromosomes, concerns about the race-based nature of the name increased.[152]
In 1961, a group of nineteen scientists suggested that "mongolism" had "misleading connotations" and had become "an embarrassing term".[153] The
World Health Organization (WHO) dropped the term in 1965 after a request by the delegation from the
Mongolian People's Republic.[154] While this terminology continued to be used until the late twentieth century,[155]: 21 it is now considered unacceptable and is no longer in common use.
In antiquity, many infants with disabilities were either killed or abandoned.[29]
In June 2020, the earliest incidence of Down syndrome was found in genomic evidence from an infant that was buried before 3200 BC at
Poulnabrone dolmen in
Ireland.[156]
Researchers believe that a number of historical pieces of art portray Down syndrome, including pottery from the
pre-Columbian Tumaco-La Tolita culture in present-day
Colombia and
Ecuador,[157] and the 16th-century painting The Adoration of the Christ Child.[158][159]
In the 20th century, many individuals with Down syndrome were institutionalized, few of the associated medical problems were treated, and most people died in infancy or early adulthood. With the rise of the
eugenics movement, 33 of the then 48
U.S. states and several countries began programs of forced sterilization of individuals with Down syndrome and comparable degrees of disability.
Action T4 in
Nazi Germany saw the systematic murder of people with Down syndrome made public policy.[160]
With the discovery of
karyotype techniques in the 1950s it became possible to identify abnormalities of chromosomal number or shape.[149] In 1959
Jérôme Lejeune reported the discovery that Down syndrome resulted from an extra chromosome.[28] However, Lejeune's claim to the discovery has been disputed,[161] and in 2014 the Scientific Council of the French Federation of Human Genetics unanimously awarded its Grand Prize to his colleague
Marthe Gautier for her role in this discovery.[162] The discovery took place in the laboratory of
Raymond Turpin at the Hôpital Trousseau in Paris, France.[163] Jérôme Lejeune and Marthe Gautier were both his students.[164]
As a result of this discovery, the condition became known as trisomy 21.[165] Even before the discovery of its cause, the presence of the syndrome in all races, its association with older maternal age, and its rarity of recurrence had been noticed. Medical texts had assumed it was caused by a combination of inheritable factors that had not been identified. Other theories had focused on injuries sustained during birth.[166]
Down syndrome is named after
John Langdon Down. He was the first person to provide an accurate description of the syndrome. His research that was published in 1866 earned him the recognition as the Father of the syndrome.[167] While others had previously recognized components of the condition, John Langdon Down described the syndrome as a distinct, unique medical condition.[14]
In 1975, the United States
National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a conference to standardize the naming and recommended replacing the possessive form, "Down's syndrome", with "Down syndrome".[168] However, both the possessive and nonpossessive forms remain in use by the general population.[169] The term "trisomy 21" is also commonly used.[153][170]
Ethics
Obstetricians routinely offer antenatal screenings for various conditions, including Down syndrome.[171][172] As a medically reasonable procedure, requiring
informed consent, people should be given information about it.[171] It will then be the woman's choice, based on her personal beliefs, how much or how little screening she wishes.[173][174] When results from testing become available, it is considered an ethical requirement to share the results with the patient.[171][175]
Some bioethicists deem it reasonable for parents to select a child who would have the highest well-being.[176] One criticism of this reasoning is that it often values those with disabilities less.[177] Some parents argue that Down syndrome should not be prevented or cured and that eliminating Down syndrome amounts to genocide.[178][179] The
disability rights movement does not have a position on screening,[180] although some members consider testing and abortion discriminatory.[180] Some in the United States who are
anti-abortion support abortion if the fetus is disabled, while others do not.[181] Of a group of 40 mothers in the United States who have had one child with Down syndrome, half agreed to screening in the next pregnancy.[181]
Within the US, some
Protestant denominations see abortion as acceptable when a fetus has Down syndrome while
Orthodox Christianity and
Roman Catholicism do not.[182] Some of those against screening refer to it as a form of
eugenics.[182] Disagreement exists within
Islam regarding the acceptability of abortion in those carrying a fetus with Down syndrome.[183] Some Islamic countries allow abortion, while others do not.[183] Parents may be stigmatized whichever decision they make.[184]
Advocacy groups
Advocacy groups for individuals with Down syndrome began to be formed after the
Second World War.[185] These were organizations advocating for the inclusion of people with Down syndrome into the general school system and for a greater understanding of the condition among the general population,[185] as well as groups providing support for families with children living with Down syndrome.[185] Before this individuals with Down syndrome were often placed in
mental hospitals or asylums. Organizations included the
Royal Society for Handicapped Children and Adults founded in the UK in 1946 by
Judy Fryd,[185][186] Kobato Kai founded in Japan in 1964,[185] the National Down Syndrome Congress founded in the United States in 1973 by
Kathryn McGee and others,[185][187] and the
National Down Syndrome Society founded in 1979 in the United States.[185] The first Roman Catholic order of nuns for women with Down Syndrome,
Little Sisters Disciples of the Lamb, was founded in 1985 in France.[188]
Special21.org, founded in 2015, advocates the need for a specific classification category to enable Down syndrome swimmers the opportunity to qualify and compete at the
Paralympic Games.[191] The project began when International Down syndrome swimmer Filipe Santos broke the world record in the 50m butterfly event, but was unable to compete at the Paralympic Games.[192][193]
Although Down syndrome swimmers are able to compete in the
Paralympic SwimmingS14 intellectual impairment category (provided they score low in IQ tests), they are often outmatched by the superior physicality of their opponents.[194][195]
At present there is no designated Paralympic category for swimmers with Down syndrome, meaning they have to compete as intellectually disadvantaged athletes. This disregards their physical disabilities.[196][197]
A number of advocacy groups globally have been lobbying for the inclusion of a distinct classification category for Down syndrome swimmers within the IPC Classification Codes framework.[198]
Despite ongoing advocacy, the issue remains unresolved, and swimmers with Down syndrome continue to face challenges in accessing appropriate classification pathways.[199][200]
Down syndrome may also occur in
hominids other than humans. In
great apes chromosome 22 corresponds to the human chromosome 21[a] and thus trisomy 22 causes Down syndrome in apes. The condition was observed in a
common chimpanzee in 1969 and a
Bornean orangutan in 1979, but neither lived very long. The common chimpanzee Kanako (born around 1993, in Japan) has become the longest-lived known example of this condition. Kanako has some of the same symptoms that are common in human Down syndrome. It is unknown how common this condition is in chimps, but it is plausible it could be roughly as common as Down syndrome is in humans.[208][209]
Fossilized remains of a
Neanderthal aged approximately 6 at death were described in 2024. The child, nicknamed Tina, suffered from a malformation of the inner ear that only occurs in people with Down syndrome, and would have caused hearing loss and disabling
vertigo. The fact that a Neanderthal with such a condition survived to such an age was taken as evidence of compassion and extra-maternal care among Neanderthals.[210][211]
In popular culture
Individuals
Jamie Brewer is an American actress and model. She is best known for her roles in the
FX horror anthology television series American Horror Story.[212] In its first season, Murder House, she portrayed
Adelaide "Addie" Langdon; in the third season, Coven, she portrayed
Nan, an enigmatic and
clairvoyantwitch; in the fourth season Freak Show, she portrayed Chester Creb's vision of his doll, Marjorie; in the seventh season Cult, she portrayed Hedda, a member of the 'SCUM' crew, led by feminist
Valerie Solanas; and she also returned to her role as Nan in the eighth season, Apocalypse. In February 2015, Brewer became the first woman with Down syndrome to walk the red carpet at
New York Fashion Week, for designer Carrie Hammer.[213]
Sofía Jirau is a
Puerto Rican model with Down syndrome, working with top designers and renowned media outlets such Vogue Mexico, People, Hola!, among others.[214][215][216] In February 2020, Jirau made her debut at
New York Fashion Week.[217] Then in February 2022, she became the first-ever model with Down Syndrome to be hired by the American retail company
Victoria's Secret.[218] She walked the
LA Fashion Week runway in 2022.[219] Jirau launched a campaign in 2021 called
Sin Límites or No Limits "which seeks to make visible the challenges facing the Down syndrome community, demonstrate our ability to achieve our goals, and raise awareness about the condition throughout the world."[219]
Life Goes On is an American drama television series that aired on
ABC from September 12, 1989, to May 23, 1993.[229] The show centers on the Thatcher family living in
suburban Chicago: Drew, his wife Libby, and their children Paige, Rebecca and Charles. Charles, called Corky on the show and portrayed by
Chris Burke, was the first major character on a television series with Down syndrome.[230] Burke's revolutionary role conveyed a realistic portrayal of people with Down syndrome and changed the way audiences viewed people with disabilities.[231]
Struck by Lightning, an Australian film by
Jerzy Domaradzki and starring
Garry McDonald, is a comedy-drama depicting the efforts by a newly appointed physical education teacher to introduce soccer to a specialized school for youths with Down syndrome.
^Using the traditional numbering; the current numbering scheme retains human chromosome numbers, using 2A and 2B instead of 2 and 3 to refer to the two chromosomes that fused into
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Down syndrome.