Skip to main content
  • Down Syndrome
    Down syndrome continues to be the most common chromosomal disorder. According to WHO, incidence of Down Syndrome is estimated to be around 1 in 1,000 to 1 live births worldwide. Between 1979 and 2003, the number of babies born with Down syndrome increased by about 30%. The good news is that the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome increased dramatically from 10 years old in 1960 to 47 years in 2007.   
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 21 March 2016

There are 3 types of Down's syndrome based on the causes of Down's Syndrome:

- Trisomy21

- Mosaic Down's Syndrome

- Translocation Down's Syndrome

What are the complications of Down’s syndrome?

It is common for babies born with Down’s syndrome to have some health problems. Most of these problems can be treated. Problems of the heart, lungs and thyroid gland are common. Eyesight problems (crossed eyes, near- or far-sightedness, cataract) hearing loss, obstructed digestive tracts, sleep apnea and childhood leukemia occur with greater frequency inchildren with Down’s syndrome. 

Adults with Down’s syndrome are also at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, thyroid conditions and sleep apnea. The majority of people born with Down’s syndrome today have an average life expectancy of 55 years, with some living into their 70s. Hirschsprung’s disease (a disease of the large intestine affecting its function) is a relatively rare condition among the general population but it is more common in children with Down’s syndrome.

All people with Down’s syndrome experience cognitive delays, however, the effect is usually mild to moderate and is not indicative of the many strengths and talents that each individual possesses. Children with Down’s syndrome learn to sit, walk, talk, play, and toilet train and do most other activities — only somewhat later than their peers without Down’s syndrome. Children with Down’s syndrome may be more prone to digestive difficulties, including constipation, diarrhea, and gastro-esophageal reflux, and bowel abnormalities.

 

Condition

Stories

  • Minu Budhia and Preeyam Budhia with the team at ICanFlyy a special needs cafe
    Every Little Step, Every Drop In The Ocean Counts
    Minu Budhia and daughter Preeyam Budhia, co-founders of Café ICanFlyy in Kolkata, a café which employs individuals with disabilities and empowers them to chart out their course in life, talk about the vision behind setting up this one-of-a-kind café in the country. Tell us about Cafe ICanFlyy. How did it take shape? Cosy, quirky, and certainly a labour of love, Cafe ICanFlyy is a 50-seater cafe run by individuals with special needs. Whether you’re making a quick stop for a cuppa, a short…
  • Narrative Therapy and Its Benefits To Families
    Raviraj Shetty, a lead Therapist, Supervisor and Project Manager at Ummeed Child Development Center talks about his work using Narrative Psychology. He has published a paper in the Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy in the context of handwriting training using Narrative Therapy.  1. What is Narrative psychology? Narrative therapy is a respectful and a non-blaming approach of counselling used for children, individuals, families, couples and communities. Narrative therapy is based…
  • Image: Pranay Burde with Down's Syndrome receives award from President of India
    Persons With Down syndrome Can And Should Become Independent
    In a heartfelt interview, Pranay Burde, 30, with Down syndrome, talks about his job and implores others of his community to come out of their shells and explore the world as people have become more receptive. You have received many national and international awards, including the President’s Award for ‘Best Employee’. How does it feel to be honoured at highest level? It feels wonderful to be honoured by the President of India himself. And I’m fortunate enough to receive awards from the…
  • Onir talks about the Indo-Australian film on Down's Syndrome Raising the Bar
    This film is about Loving and Accepting Diversity in Society
    Raising the Bar, an Indo-Australian documentary, is a lively, cheerful narrative on Down syndrome and has won many prestigious awards and accolades. Here we speak to director Onir who says the film aims to create awareness, encourage inclusion, celebrate differences and conquer preconceived boundaries. You are an acclaimed Indian film director known for unconventional works like ‘My Brother…Nikhil’ (on AIDS and homosexuality) and the National award winning ‘I am’ (on gay rights, sperm donation…
  • Becoming Better Learners with Dance Movement Therapy
    Tripura Kashyap, founder-director of Apoorva Dance Theatre in Bangalore and one of the pioneers of Creative Movement Therapy in India writes about her weekly dance therapy sessions for a group of 8 to 12 year olds with learning disabilities, Down's Syndrome, Autism and Intellectual Disabilities.  On my return to Bangalore after my training in Dance Therapy in the US, Iwas approached by the Baldwin Opportunity School to hold weekly dance therapy sessions for their children in the age group…
  • What does a mother of a disabled child want?
    As part of International Day of Persons with Disabilty, we spoke to mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome and Asperger's Syndrome in terms of what they wish for their child. This is what they had to say.  Is it too much to ask?  
  • My Vegan Diet Story Reads Happy, Lighter and Healthy
    Asha Sarella, a Bengaluru-based Bharatanatyam dancer, movement therapist, and a counsellor, talks about how her life changed after embracing a vegan diet. I just finished my dance practice and I feel so good. This was not the case few years ago. I had joint pains, heart burns and I was also overweight. My body would feel heavy, stiff and tired. I went to a Naturopathy (vegan) doctor with all these concerns; he examined me and asked me to do food testing for 3 days. He asked me to make some food…
  • Image of Papads or Popaddams to show an unhealthy snack
    4 Popular Unhealthy Snacks You Really Should Limit
    Meenu Agarwal, a clinical dietitian and nutritionist based in Singapore, advises on controlling consumption of junk food to stay fit and free from ailments like diabetes, cholesterol, acidity, hypertension and other complications and offers healthier options. Junk food is defined as “any food, which is low in essential nutrients and high in everything else - calories and sodium". Junk foods contain little or no proteins, vitamins or minerals but are rich in salt, sugar, fats and are high in…
  • Are We as a Community Failing Special Needs Families?
    The recent incident of a mother in Bengaluru causing the death of her disabled child has stirred many reactions and caused a lot of introspection in families with disabled children. But what of the larger community? Did we give it a moment? What can we do? What should we do? During a conversation in a little cafe in Chennai with some of the early contributors of PatientsEngage, people associated with VidyaSagar, an organisation for children and adults with special needs, the commonly held…
  • She Proved Them Wrong and Excelled beyond Expectations
    Rucha Shere, 28, is the first student in Maharashtra with Down Syndrome to have achieved academic excellence. Battling ridicule and rejection intrepidly, she is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Sanskrit. Read her wonderful story as told by her father. Congratulations!! You have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl, we were informed. My wife and I were thrilled. Our little bundle of joy had finally arrived and she looked lovely: small, flat nose, round face and slanting eyes. Her first cry…