In keeping with celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness month, here are some additional facts on Down syndrome:

• Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. This alters the course of development and causes characteristics associated with Down syndrome.

• There are 3 types of Down syndrome

• It is the most commonly occurring chromosome condition

• 1 in 691 babies are born in the United States

• The incidences increases with the age of the mother due to high fertility rates in younger women.

• An increased for certain medical conditions such as, congenital heart defects, respiratory, Alzheimer disease and childhood Leukemia.

• Common traits include low muscle tone, small stature, upward slant in the eyes and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.

• Translocation is the only type that is inherited

• Is named after British Doctor John Langdon Downs the first to categorize the common features

• Dr. Jerome Lejeune discovered Down syndrome is a genetic disorder

• A person has 3 copies of chromosome 21 instead of 2

• Is the leading cause of intellectual and developmental disabilities in the United States and the World.

• 38% of Americans know someone with Down syndrome

• The average lifespan is 60. In 1983, it was 25.

• 39.4 % are in the mild intellectual disability range of 50-70.

• 1% are on the border

• A growing number live independently

• Occurs in all races and economic levels.

• Some high school graduates with Down syndrome participate in post-secondary education.

• In the United States, Down syndrome is the least funded major genetic condition