Question 1

what happens if a person with down syndrome marries a person without down syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Interesting couple: This is  a realistic issue for those working with mentally challenged adults. Some patients function at the upper end of the DS intellect, with capabilities of strong personal relationship.All 21 trisomy males are functionally sterile, but females are capable of reproduction. Such a pair would have many challenges in life, but could do better than many "normal" couples.

Question 2

how could a down syndrome person lose weight?

Accepted Answer

Lose wt for Downs: The same approach to weight loss that is generally recommended also pertains to people with downs syndrome.  Emphasize appropriately balanced meals, reduction in high calorie snacks and exercise.

Question 3

how does a person get down syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Dividing Chromasomes: We all have 22 pairs of regular chromosomes (chms) plus an xx or xy of the sex chms. The pairs split during egg or sperm formation so each has 22 chms + an x or y.  If the 21 chromosome doesn't split right & brings a pair to the egg(or sperm) the fertilized egg will have an extra 21 so the infant will have 47 total. All subsequent cells have 47, giving rise to a ds kid.

Question 4

what kind of education is best for a down syndrome person?

Accepted Answer

Early Intervention : Improves development, especially in fine-motor, social & self-help skills. Early childhood special ed at 3, with iep's including  long-term speech & language, occupational, physical & behavioral  therapy. Visual organizers, schedules & written/pictorial instructions work well because of strengths in visual motor skills & weakness in verbal short-term memory. Balance inclusion & special ed classes.

Question 5

if a person has down syndrome and gets pregnant, what is the chance of a non-down child?

Accepted Answer

About 50/50: Many females with Down syndrome can get pregnant, maybe one half or more.   It's estimated that 35 to 50 percent of their children will have down syndrome, as well.  Most males with Down syndrome are unable to father children.

Question 6

could it happen that a person carry the gene but not actually have down syndrome themselves?

Accepted Answer

No: It is not a gene abnormality. It is the expression of an extra gene being present. There is no treatment or cure.

Question 7

how long does a down syndrome person usually live? is that a problem since parents are usually old?

Accepted Answer

6 decades +: Years ago the expected lifespan for ds kids was short, due to a combination of heart defects, increased vulnerability to infection & lack of aggressive management. Today the projected lifespan exceeds 6 decades.Ds is a prime example of the need for survivor assistance planning. Various ds support groups, the "arc", social workers all help families integrate public & private support.

Question 8

why is my baby down syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Chromosome defect: Ds is one of the more common chromosome(c) defects that can survive pregnancy (many others miscarry).Eggs are supposed to have a single 21c & combine with the 21 from dads normal sperm.In ds the pair of moms 21c +dad's 21 creates a baby with the three 21c in all tissues.This extra material confuses the creation of body parts causing ds..Various prenatal tests can pick up signs early on.

Question 9

why does down syndrome happen?

Accepted Answer

Mistake in chromosom: During the formation of normal eggs or sperm the chromosome(c) pairs are supposed to split leaving one of each in the egg/sperm.At conception the joining of egg/sperm brings together the pair &  as tissue grows it has the proper number in each cell. With ds the egg has a pair of 21c and at conception a triple 21 is created. All cells derived after will have an extra 21 & become a ds child.

Question 10

how can you inherit down syndrome?

Accepted Answer

Yes: A woman with Down syndrome (trisomy 21) may be able to get pregnant, but men with Down syndrome are almost always sterile, due to problems with sperm production.  That means about half of the babies born to women with Down syndrome will inherit an extra chromosome #21 and be Down syndrome babies.  Said another way, if you inherited down syndrome, your mother must have had down syndrome.

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Black person with down syndrome

A member asked:

What happens if a person with down syndrome marries a person without down syndrome?

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How could a down syndrome person lose weight?

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How does a person get down syndrome?

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What kind of education is best for a down syndrome person?

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If a person has down syndrome and gets pregnant, what is the chance of a non-down child?

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Could it happen that a person carry the gene but not actually have down syndrome themselves?

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How long does a down syndrome person usually live? is that a problem since parents are usually old?

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Why is my baby down syndrome?

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Why does down syndrome happen?

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How can you inherit down syndrome?

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