What is Down Syndrome?

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that affects 1 in 691 babies born each year in the United States. According to the National Down Syndrome Society, there are more than 400,000 individuals with Down Syndrome in the U.S.

Down Syndrome is caused by extra genetic material from chromosome 21. In some, there is a partial extra copy of the chromosome while others have a full copy. The additional material changes the development of the child and often causes health problems. Thankfully, most of the health problems children with Down Syndrome face can be treated.  

For more information about Down Syndrome, please visit www.ndss.org or our resources page for more helpful links.