Down syndrome: what it is, numbers, myths and facts

Down syndrome from a social point of view

There are many myths and misconceptions about people with Down syndrome, so at NeuronUP we want to dispel false beliefs and, in doing so, improve their social inclusion. We also talk about the importance of early intervention and share the main figures on this genetic condition in an infographic.

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is not a disease. It is a genetic alteration caused by the presence of an extra chromosome or part of one. People with Down syndrome have three chromosomes in pair 21, when there are normally two, which is why this syndrome is also called trisomy 21. It is the most common human genetic alteration, but it is not a disease and therefore doesn’t require any medical treatment.

The origin of this intellectual disability lies in the sperm or egg contributing one extra chromosome, which, together with the other 23, adds up to 47 instead of the usual 46. In the vast majority of cases, the extra chromosome comes from the egg. There is no known cause for this genetic alteration. It occurs spontaneously and can’t be prevented.

Figures

• For every 600-700 conceptions worldwide, one person with Down syndrome is born.
• The estimated worldwide incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 1,100 newborns.
• An estimated 35,000 people with Down syndrome live in Spain, and a total of six million worldwide.
• Between 30% and 40% of people with intellectual disabilities have Down syndrome.
• The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome is around 60 years.
• It has also been shown that maternal age is a risk factor, mainly when the mother is over 35.

Myths and truths

Below, we take a closer look at the main myths surrounding Down syndrome.

Are there different degrees?

There are no degrees. Each person is different and has different characteristics and a different alteration.

Can Down syndrome be inherited?

In most cases, the syndrome occurs randomly. Only in approximately 1% of cases does a so-called translocation occur, which means that one of the parents has one chromosome 21 and part of another, since the missing part has attached itself to another chromosome. Only in this case could we speak of it being inherited.

Aggression is part of Down syndrome

Behavior is not associated with the syndrome; in other words, aggressive behaviors stem from behavioral disorders that are also present in people without intellectual disabilities.

Life expectancy is low

The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome is over 60 years, a figure that keeps rising, as the latest advances in medicine are reducing the mortality rate.

Advanced parental age as a cause

Although it has been shown that one factor that increases the likelihood of Down syndrome is the mother being older during pregnancy, most cases occur in young mothers.

Main cause of intellectual disability

Down syndrome is the main cause of intellectual disability. Between 30% and 40% of people with intellectual disabilities have this syndrome. This genetic alteration leads to slower development, so it is essential for these children to attend stimulation programs known as Early Intervention from birth.

Risk of developing Alzheimer’s

Adults with Down syndrome have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disease that involves progressive memory loss.

Down syndrome involves learning difficulties and special education needs

It’s true that they learn more slowly, but with appropriate stimulation, their brain can develop. In addition, they don’t necessarily need special education: there have been people with Down syndrome who have studied at university and graduated, such as Pablo Pineda, the first person with Down syndrome in Europe to earn a university degree.

On the other hand, in the job market, the rate of people with this disability who work outside sheltered employment centers has increased considerably.

The importance of Early Intervention

Down syndrome has no cure. But there are early intervention programs for children with Down syndrome between 0 and 6 years old that aim to reduce the developmental delay associated with this disability by taking advantage of the brain’s neuroplasticity, that is, its potential to change and adapt.

In short, these programs aim to stimulate psychomotor, cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional development.

Finally, it’s worth highlighting that there is no relationship between physical features and cognitive development.

Let nothing separate us

DOWN ESPAÑA launched a social awareness message: “If we have so many things in common, why do we let just one chromosome separate us?”

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