Down syndrome, named after John Langdon Down, occurs when there is an extra chromosome on the 21st set, resulting in various physical and health characteristics. About 1 in 691 births in the U.S. has Down syndrome, with around 6,000 babies born each year, primarily to mothers under 35. Common health issues include heart defects, vision problems, and hearing issues, with various physical traits such as almond-shaped eyes and low muscle tone.

2. Thousands of people are asking
the question…
They are searching Google,
WebMD, Mayo Clinic, National
Down Syndrome Society, and
still looking for answers to…
“What Is Down Syndrome?”
Eliminate the medical jargon. Make it simple…

3. It was named after John Langdon DOWN in the late 19th century.
“DOWN” IS NOT A DESCRIPTION
OF THE SYNDROME
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“UP” SYNDROME
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1 OUT OF 691 BIRTHS
ARE
BABIES WITH DOWN SYNDROME

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6,000 BABIES WITH DOWN SYNDROME ARE
BORN EACH YEAR IN UNITED STATES

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ALTHOUGH THE ODDS ARE HIGHER FOR
OLDER MOMS
80% OF MOTHERS ARE UNDER THE AGE OF
35 YEARS OLD

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NO ONE REALLY KNOWS…
THIS VIDEO WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION
BEHIND THE QUESTION.

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-HEART DEFECT (ALMOST 50%)
-INTESTINAL DEFECT (12%)
-VISION PROBLEMS (60%)
-THYROID PROBLEMS (1%)
-HEARING ISSUES (75%)
-LEUKEMIA (1%)

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-EYES SLANTED UPWARD (ALMOND SHAPED)
-SMALL MOUTH (MAKING TONGUE LOOK
LARGER, BUT TONGUE IS NOT)
-SMALL EARS
-SMALL HANDS AND FEET
-SHORTER NECK
-FLATTENED NOSE BRIDGE
-LOW MUSCLE TONE

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– Normally there
are 23 pairs of chromosomes; person with DS have
an extra chromosome on the 21st set (hence the
‘tri’).
• Most common (95% of births)

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– Occurs when some, but not all cells
contain 47 chromosomes; possessing only some DS
characteristics.
• 1% of people with DS

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– part of the 21st pair of
chromosomes breaks off and attaches to another
pair, usually 14th; they still possess the 46 total
chromosomes, but because of the break off, these
people take on characteristics of DS.
• 4% of all people with DS

14. DS
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17. DS
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What is Down syndrome?
A Whole New World

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