Tag Archives: trisomy

National Birth Defects Prevention Month

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Start: January 1-January 30, 2024

January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of birth defects and the impact on families.

Birth defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy or after the baby is born. Birth defects occur when there are structural changes during the first three months of pregnancy affecting one or more parts of the body. About 1 in 33 babies (3%) are born in the United States is born with a birth defect. Birth defects are also the leading cause of infant deaths accounting for 20% of all infant deaths.

Types of birth defects include:

  • Anencephaly
  • Spina Bifida
  • Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
  • Down Syndrome
  • Microcephaly
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Edwards Syndrome
  • Patau Syndrome

Not all birth defects are preventable however, the following are steps you can take for a healthy baby:

  • Try to prevent infections.
  • Wash your hands regularly.
  • Get 400 units of folic acid every day.
  • See a healthcare professional on a regular basis.

Updated 12/29/23

10 Important Facts On Trisomy 18

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Today is National Trisomy Awareness Day. Below are 10 important facts on Trisomy 18.

  • It is also known as Edwards Syndrome
  • It is a condition caused by an error in cell division
  • An extra chromosome in 18 develops
  • Occurs in 1 out of every 2500 pregnancies in the United States
  • It is 1 in 6000 live births
  • Only 50% of babies who are carried to term will be born alive
  • Children are often born with heart defects
  • Features include a small head, small jaw, clenched fists and severe intellectual disabilities
  • It is named after John Hilton Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960
  • It affects different organ systems

 

20 Facts You Should Know About Down Syndrome

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

down-syndrome-facts

  • 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

downsyndrometypes

  • 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