What is the history of Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome was first characterized by English physician John Langdon Down, which the disorder was named after. It was widely the most recognisable genetic disorder by the 20th century. During this time many children with Down syndrome died, as they were not properly cared for. As the knowledge of the disorder advanced, children with Down syndrome lived a much longer lifespan due to special care and therapy. In the 1950’s it was discovered that Down syndrome was caused by an extra chromosome, and it was given the nickname Trisomy 21. Later developments enabled doctors to distinguish if a baby would have Down syndrome before birth.
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