Down syndrome becomes notably known in the mass media over the past years. Today, we have seen that life expectancy has become more longer, and it has received better care and acceptance from the society.
According to the website of the National Down Syndrome Society, in every 691 babies born in the United States, one of them has Down Syndrome, known as the most common genetic condition.
The National Down Syndrome Society added that each year 6,000 babies are borne with the condition in the U.S., and about 40,000 of Americans have Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder, which includes the presence of an extra chromosome 21, and is characterized by mild to severe mental impairment, weak muscle tone, shorter height and a flattened facial profile.
According to the doctors and experts, children borne with Down Syndrome suffer from a number of problems with their organs such as hearing loss and eye cataracts. However, most of them do not experience this kind of issue but do have cognitive delays from mild to moderate, and yet, children with this condition have well-developed social skills.
With this, different advancements were made to help Down Syndrome and their families. Screening now happens during pregnancy, which enables the mothers to identify ahead of time if they will be borne with down syndrome.
In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released recommendations for doctors to help and provide the needs of children with this condition which led to a higher detection rate and is vital to their overall health.
The local media centers have created support centers for children and families with Down Syndrome.
Our society has also changed the way individuals with disabilities were treated overall. At the same time, medical technology has been advanced, which paved the way in making the life expectancy of those with Down Syndrome.
Thus, the life expectancy of those with Down Syndrome has increased in a massive way from the past years, ranging from the age of 25 to 60 as of today. This was due to early interventionthat improves the condition of those children, says Debra Emerson, CEO of El Cajon-based, St. Madeleine Sophie's Center.
