> Down Syndrome

Over the last 50 years the life expectancy for children born with Down Syndrome has risen dramatically from 10 years to 60 years. By studying adults with DS, scientists hope to unlock the genetic roots of aging.

Children with down syndrome need special care and attention. Down syndrome, or trisomy 21, can come with serious digestive tract or heart problems, which require major surgery. But even if these problems are avoided, parents should make sure their DS child has regular pediatric care.

Adults with Down Syndrome have busy and fulfilling lives. Mitch Meyer is working towards getting his drivers license. Michael Peoples performs with a dance troupe. Sheryl Sternal has been to over 30 professional baseball stadiums.

Between 5% and 10% of babies with Down syndrome (also called Trisomy 21) develop a transient form of leukemia that typically resolves on its own. However, for unclear reasons, between 20% to 30% of these babies progress to a more serious leukemia known as Down syndrome acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (DS-AMKL) DS-AMKL affects the blood progenitor cells that form red blood cells and platelets. Recently =, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston identified a gene regulator they believe to be a key player in DS-AMKL, advancing our understanding of disease development and treatment.

The number of Down’s syndrome pregnancies has risen sharply over the past 20 years, largely because of an increase in older women trying to have children, research suggests. A study of Down’s syndrome trends by scientists from Queen Mary, University of London, shows that antenatal and postnatal diagnoses have increased by 71 per cent, from 1,075 in 1989 to 1,843 last year. But the number of babies born with Down’s has remained fairly static over the same period. Live births of Down’s babies fell by about 1 per cent, from 752 to 743, over the same period. If screening had not taken place, the number of babies born with Down’s syndrome would have risen 48 per cent, the researchers concluded.