Notes

Chromosomes are bundles of genes, and your body relies on having just the right number of them. With Down syndrome, this extra chromosome leads to a range of issues that affect you both mentally and physically. Down syndrome is a lifelong condition. Although it can’t be cured, doctors know more about it now than ever. Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. Down syndrome is a condition in which a person has an extra chromosome 21. This extra chromosome changes how a baby’s body and brain develop. To learn what it’s like to live with this condition or how families are affected, read these real stories from people living with Down syndrome. Down's syndrome affects people of all ages, races, religious backgrounds and economic situations. It is estimated that there are around 60,000 people with Down's syndrome living in the UK, but since Down's syndrome has never been a notifiable condition, accurate figures are difficult to obtain. How is Down's syndrome diagnosed?