Down Syndrome is the most common genetic disorder. Down syndrome affects people of all ages, races, and economic levels. It is the most frequently occurring chromosomal abnormality. It occurs about once in every 800 to 1,000 births. There are over 350,000 people in the Untied States alone that have Down syndrome. Over the past few decade's people with Down syndrome have been granted equal protections under federal law. Daily, people with Down syndrome struggle to accomplish the same goals as everyone else. The opportunities that are available to people with Down syndrome today have never been greater. It is because of the continuous efforts of parents, professionals, and other individuals that the acceptance is becoming so widespread. Throughout this paper I will discuss more thoroughly the history of this disorder, detection and treatments, the diagnosis in newborns and some myths, questions, and the truth behind Down syndrome.
John Langdon Down was the first to give an accurate description of people with Down syndrome. In 1866 Down was recognized as the "father" of this syndrome. In 1959 Jerome Lejeune said Down syndrome was chromosomal anomaly. People with Down syndrome have 47 in the cells instead of 46 chromosomes in each cell. This is what set the disorder apart from other individuals. It was later found that complete 21st chromosome results in the characteristics in Down syndrome. Since the early signs and studies of Down syndrome, technology has come a long way. Now there are more advanced ways of detecting and treating the disorder, whereas decade's ago there wasn't as much they could do for it. And those with the disorder didn't lead as productive lives as they do now. .
To detect Down syndrome in a baby there is a genetic test done called Karyotype, this test confirms the diagnosis. The test consists of taking a small amount of blood. At birth there are many physical characteristics that make doctors suspect Down syndrome, but the test is still very necessary.