List of people with Down syndrome

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of a third copy of chromosome 21. It is typically associated with physical growth delays, characteristic facial features, and mild to moderate intellectual disability. The average IQ of a young adult with Down syndrome is 50, equivalent to the mental ability of an 8 or 9-year-old child, but this varies widely.

Causes

Down syndrome is caused by having three copies of the genes on chromosome 21, rather than the usual two. The parents of the affected individual are typically genetically normal. The extra chromosome occurs by chance. The probability increases from less than 0.1% in 20-year-old mothers to 3% in those age 45.

Signs and Symptoms

People with Down syndrome may have some or all of these physical characteristics: a small chin, slanted eyes, poor muscle tone, a flat nasal bridge, a single crease of the palm, and a protruding tongue due to a small mouth and relatively large tongue. These airway changes lead to obstructive sleep apnea in around half of those with Down syndrome.

Management

Education and proper care have been shown to improve quality of life. Some children with Down syndrome are educated in typical school classes, while others require more specialized education. Some individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school, and a few attend post-secondary education.

Epidemiology

Down syndrome is the most common chromosome abnormality in humans. It occurs in about one per 1,000 babies born each year. 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.

Notable Individuals

There are many notable individuals with Down syndrome who have achieved significant success in various fields. Some of these individuals include:

• Chris Burke, an American actor and folk singer, who became famous for his role in the TV show Life Goes On.
• Pablo Pineda, a Spanish actor and the first European with Down syndrome to obtain a university degree.
• Madeline Stuart, an Australian model, the first professional model with Down syndrome.

See Also

• Genetic disorders
• Chromosome abnormalities
• Intellectual disability

References

List of people with Down syndrome Resources
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