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It is believed that people with Down's syndrome have always existed. However, it was not until 1866 that the English doctor, John Langdon Down published a description of the condition, which subsequently took his name.
People with Down's syndrome do not have a particular personality type. People with Down's syndrome are individuals. However, people with Down's syndrome are more likely to use certain coping strategies. For example, it is common for people with Down's syndrome to use routine, order and sameness as a way of rationalising and controlling their lives. Similarly, people with Down's syndrome may also use self-talk as a way of directing their behavior, expressing their feelings and making sense of what is sometimes a very confusing world. Change can be very disorientating especially if one has a learning disability.
People with Down's syndrome have sometimes been portrayed as being stubborn. Stubbornness and a refusal to co-operate may be a signal from the individual that they do not fully understand what is expected of them. Stubbornness can also be symptomatic of an individual trying to exert control over their lives. The best way to help someone is to try and find out from him or her what the problem is.
Both women and men with Down's syndrome can be fertile, although both sexes have a reduced fertility rate. They therefore need advice on, and access to, contraception. People with Down's syndrome need careful and sensitive advice about having children, as there are a number of issues to consider. Some people with learning disabilities can successfully parent their children, given the right support. However, many couples with learning disabilities decide for themselves not to have children because of the responsibility and hard work involved, or for financial reasons.
Where one parent has Down's syndrome, there is a 35% to 50% chance that the child would inherit the syndrome. This chance is even higher where both parents have Down's syndrome. There is also a high chance that pregnancy would end in miscarriage. Women with Down's syndrome are also more likely than other women to have a premature baby, or to need a cesarian section.
Incidence; Causes & Development; Risk Factors
For every 1,000 babies born, one will have the chromosomal irregularity known as Down's syndrome. Down's syndrome affects people of all races and social classes, in all countries of the world.
In 1959 Professor Jérome Lejeune proved that Down's syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality. Instead of 46 chromosomes usually present in each cell, Lejeune noted 47 in the cells of people with Down's syndrome. It was later determined that this additional chromosomal material (usually caused by triplication of the 21st chromosome) results in the physical characteristics associated with the condition and the different course in development.
As yet we do not know what causes the presence of an extra chromosome 21. It can come from either the mother or the father. There is no way of predicting whether a person is more or less likely to make and egg or sperm with 24 chromosomes.
There is a definite link with advanced maternal age for reasons yet unknown. However, 80% of babies with Down's syndrome are born to women under the age of 35, as younger women have higher fertility rates. What we do know is that no one is to blame: Nothing done before or during pregnancy can cause Down's syndrome.
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Down's Syndrome suggests the following may be present:
Down's Syndrome can lead to: | | | | | Mental |  Senile Dementia | Although many people with Down's syndrome do develop dementia in their later years, this is by no means inevitable. Research indicates that although the incidence of dementia in people with Down's syndrome is similar to that of the general population, it occurs some 20-30 years earlier. |
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Recommendations and treatments for Down's Syndrome: | | | | | Nutrient |  DMAE| | DMAE improves the behavior and mental function of children afflicted with Down’s Syndrome. |
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Vitamins |
 Vitamin E |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Antioxidant (Antioxidants)
A chemical compound that slows or prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds. Some antioxidants have been shown to have cancer-protecting potential because they neutralize free radicals. Examples include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, the minerals selenium and germanium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10, catalase, and some amino acids.
Celiac Disease (Gluten Sensitivity)
A digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten. Common symptoms include diarrhea, increased appetite, bloating, weight loss, irritability and fatigue. Gluten is found in wheat (including spelt, triticale, and kamut), rye, barley and sometimes oats.
Dementia (Senile Dementia)
An acquired progressive impairment of intellectual function. Marked compromise exists in at least three of the following mental activity spheres: memory, language, personality, visuospatial skills, and cognition (i.e. abstraction and calculation).
Learning Disorder (Learning Disabilities, Learning Disability, Learning Disorders)
A generic term that refers to a group of disorders manifested by significant difficulties in the acquisition and use of listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning or mathematical abilities. These disorders are intrinsic to the individual and presumed to be due to central nervous system dysfunction. Even though a learning disability may occur along with other handicapping conditions (e.g. sensory impairment, mental retardation, social and emotional disturbance) or environmental influences (e.g. cultural differences, insufficient/inappropriate instruction, psychogenic factors) it is not the direct result of those condition or influences.
Miscarriage (Miscarriages, Spontaneous Abortion)
The expulsion of a fetus before it is able to survive outside of the womb.
Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).
Vitamin E
An essential fat-soluble vitamin. As an antioxidant, helps protect cell membranes, lipoproteins, fats and vitamin A from destructive oxidation. It helps protect red blood cells and is important for the proper function of nerves and muscles. For Vitamin E only, 1mg translates to 1 IU.
Last updated: May 18, 2008
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