Prognosis of Down Syndrome

Most children diagnosed with down syndrome will experience heart defects and are at risk for high blood pressure. Many people with down syndrome also experience hearing and vision problems due to defected structure of the body parts. Other medical conditions that may occur more frequently in children with DS include thyroid problems, intestinal abnormalities, seizure disorders, respiratory problems, obesity, an increased susceptibility to infection, and a higher risk of childhood leukemia. People with down syndrome typically live to around 55 years old. This number has gone up substantially in the past several decades.