Down Syndrome - Frequently Asked Questions

5. Is Down syndrome an inherited condition?

Trisomy 21 and mosaic Down syndrome are not inherited. The third kind known as translocation can be inherited. Children born to parents with this condition are at increased risk.

6. Should adults with Down syndrome be treated the same way as children with the syndrome?

No, they should not. On the other hand, they enjoy activities and the companionship of adults. They also have similar needs and feelings that match with their typical peers.

7. Do smoking, alcohol consumption and inhaling drugs during pregnancy cause Down syndrome in the child?

No, they cannot because Down syndrome is a chromosomal problem that occurs at the time of conception. But addictions like these during pregnancy can cause other birth defects.

8. Does Down syndrome affect all people in the world alike?

Yes. The incidence and prevalence of Down syndrome do not vary depending on the race, socio-economic status and the location of the person.

9. Does the mother’s age have an impact on bearing a child with Down syndrome?

The chances of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome increase with age but since younger women bear more children, they end up having more kids with the syndrome. In fact, 80% of children who have Down syndrome are born to women younger than 35.

10. Do people with Down syndrome look alike?

Although many affected people have similarities in their facial feature, they tend to look more like their families than each other.