Down Syndrome is a genetic condition where the person has three 21st chromosomes, rather than the usual two. This "extra" material interferes with the orderly development of the fetus. Some of the common characteristics of Down Syndrome include, but are not limited to, almond shaped eyes, small ears, small head size, short, broad hands with a single transverse palmar crease, and can include mental retardation of varying degrees.
There are also several medical problems associated with Down Syndrome. About 40% of children born with Down Syndrome also have some sort of heart defect. Also common to babies with Down Syndrome are problems with the intestinal tract. Recent advances in medical care have made correcting these intestinal problems possible. There is also greater success in repairing the heart defects in these children, compared to the years past.
Down Syndrome is not "contagious", you can't catch it. Neither is it a problem only found in older mothers. The incidence of having a child with Down Syndrome DOES increase with age, but the majority of children born with Down Syndrome are born to mothers under the age of 35. This can be explained by the fact that younger mothers have more babies than do older mothers. This is not a rare occurrence. Some studies say as many as 1 in 800 live births in the United States result in a baby with Down Syndrome. It affects approximately 250,000 people in the United States.
Today children with Down Syndrome are being fully included in their classrooms, holding jobs, forming long-term relationships and are making a generous contribution to society. Sadly enough, 48 Hours reports that of women who know they are carrying a baby with Down Syndrome, as many as 97% still choose to terminate the pregnancy. A diagnosis of Down Syndrome is not the end of the world. That is what we, as parents, are fighting so hard to teach society and the medical profession. A pre-natal diagnosis of Down Syndrome usually results in the parents receiving inaccurate, outdated information. In years past, infants with Down Syndrome were destined to live their lives in obscurity, usually within the walls of state-funded hospitals. This led, in many cases, to the self-fulfilling prophecy of profound mental retardation, poor health and very few social skills. It wasn't until parents stood up to the medical profession and brought their infants home, to be raised in a loving, home environment, that we were made aware of the vast range of abilities that persons with Down Syndrome possess. No longer will Down Syndrome be viewed as something to "hide" or be ashamed of. Our children are here, in society, and enjoying richer and fuller lives than any generation before. The dream that all parents have for their children is still alive. Perhaps we need to alter our perception of that dream, but every night as I hold my son, I am very aware of the fact that the dream is still alive.
