7 things you should know about Down syndrome

Every year, nearly 6,000 new babies are diagnosed with Down syndrome, the most common type of chromosomal disorder. And although it can cause many developmental challenges, life expectancy for people with the condition has leapt from 25 years old in 1983 to 60 today.

What is Down syndrome? Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes, or “packages” of genes. In the most common form of Down syndrome, a baby has an extra duplicate, otherwise known as a “trisomy,” of chromosome 21. This affects their development, both mentally and physically; children with Down syndrome often have cognitive and communication impairments, as well as delays in motor skills, in addition to shorter necks and smaller ears, among other traits.

Whether you’re a soon-to-be-parent or you know someone with Down syndrome, here’s everything you need to know about symptoms, risk factors, screening options and more.