What is the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome?

Jul 21, 2021. Over 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome in the United States each year. As recently as 1983, a person with Down syndrome lived to be only 25 years old on average. Today, the average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome is nearly 60 years and continuing to climb.

How old is the oldest Down syndrome person?

RUPERT, Idaho — According to the CDC's most recent statistics, the average lifespan for a Down syndrome patient is 47 years. Rupert resident, Bryce Walker, is 76-years-old and lives with Down syndrome, making him one of the world's oldest surviving Down syndrome patients.

Does Down syndrome shorten life expectancy?

1. Today the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome is approximately 60 years. As recently as 1983, the average lifespan of a person with Down syndrome was 25 years. The dramatic increase to 60 years is largely due to the end of the inhumane practice of institutionalizing people with Down syndrome.

What is the most common cause of death in Down syndrome?

Heart and lung diseases are the leading causes of death for persons with Down syndrome. Pneumonia and infectious lung disease, congenital heart defect (CHD) and circulatory disease (vascular diseases not including CHD or ischaemic heart disease) account for ∼75% of all deaths in persons with Down syndrome.

Why is the life expectancy for Down syndrome so low?

People with Down's syndrome die relatively young. The likely existence of tumour suppressor genes on chromosome 21 could also be important. “Loss of part or all of chromosome 21 has been observed in several different kinds of tumours,” says Rasmussen.

Down Syndrome Answers: How long does a person with Down syndrome live?

What race is Down syndrome most common in?

Results: The odds ratio and population attributable risk of Down syndrome due to maternal age of 35 years or older were highest for Mexican Americans, intermediate for African Americans, and lowest for non-Hispanic Whites.

What are the 3 types of Down syndrome?

What are 3 interesting facts about Down syndrome?

Can two people with Down syndrome have a regular baby?

Any couple can have a baby with Down's syndrome, but it is well known that older women are more likely to have a baby with the condition than younger women. There is controversy about the influence of the father's age.

Can a Down syndrome person have a normal baby?

Misconception: People who have Down syndrome cannot have children. Reality: It's true that a person with Down syndrome may have significant challenges in rearing a child. But women who have Down syndrome are fertile and can give birth to children.

Does Down syndrome get worse with age?

Adults with Down syndrome experience “accelerated aging,” meaning they will age faster than the general population. It is expected that adults with Down syndrome will show physical, medical, and cognitive signs of aging much earlier than what is expected for their age.

Does father's age affect Down syndrome?

July 1, 2003 -- Older fathers may contribute just as much as older mothers to the dramatic increase in Down syndrome risk faced by babies born to older couples. A new study found that older fathers were responsible for up to 50% of the rise in Down syndrome risk when the mother was also over 40.

What country has the most Down syndrome?

These population figures mean that for every 10,000 people there are 5.14 people with Down syndrome. This is similar to other countries like the UK. Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. It is estimated that approximately 1 in every 1100 babies born in Australia will have Down syndrome.

Can people with Down syndrome get married?

In fact, their family believes they might have had one of the longest marriages of any couple with Down syndrome. And one of the happiest marriages of anyone — with Down syndrome or without. Paul Scharoun-DeForge died last month after 25 years of marriage to his sweetheart.

Why does everyone with Down syndrome look the same?

Why do people with Down syndrome look the same? They have an extra chromosome or part of an extra chromosome. Researchers believe that this extra genetic material affects growth of the maxilla (part of the skull) and the bone, cartilage, and connective tissue in the head, known as the cranial neural crest.

Does Down syndrome affect height?

As they grow individuals with Down syndrome often fall behind their typical peers. Adult males have an average height of 5 feet 2 inches and women reach about 41/2 feet. People with Down syndrome often have smaller hands and feet.

Can people with Down syndrome be smart?

scores for people with Down syndrome vary, with the average cognitive delays being mild to moderate, not severe. In fact, normal intelligence is possible.

Can a person with Down syndrome drive?

Many people with Down Syndrome lead independent lives, this includes being able to drive. If a person with Down syndrome can read and pass a driver's education class and pass a road test, then they can get a driver's license. Each case is independent and must be evaluated.

Is there a cure coming soon for Down syndrome?

Down syndrome cannot be cured. Early treatment programs can help improve skills. They may include speech, physical, occupational, and/or educational therapy. With support and treatment, many people with Down syndrome live happy, productive lives.

Are there levels of Down syndrome?

There are three types of Down syndrome: Trisomy 21 (nondisjunction), Mosaicism, and Translocation.

Does Down syndrome run in the family?

In almost all cases, Down's syndrome does not run in families. Your chance of having a baby with Down's syndrome increases as you get older, but anyone can have a baby with Down's syndrome.

What should you not tell a parent of a Down syndrome child?

The following suggestions are based upon the input of many parents of children with Down syndrome. THINGS NOT TO SAY – These are the things that parents have said really upset or angered them: “I'm sorry” or any form of pity. Pity is not what new parents want or need.

Can you be half Down syndrome?

Mosaicism or mosaic Down syndrome is diagnosed when there is a mixture of two types of cells. Some have the usual 46 chromosomes and some have 47. Those cells with 47 chromosomes have an extra chromosome 21. Mosaicism is usually described as a percentage.

What do adults with Down syndrome struggle with?

As adults with Down syndrome grow older, there is increased risk of experiencing certain common mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and behavioral disturbances. A sudden or abrupt change in mood or behavior patterns warrants further investigation.