Web links: Down syndrome

Agenetic test for trisomy 21–an extra third chromosome 21–can let parents know if their child would be born with Down syndrome. One in 800 to 1,000 babies have Down syndrome, marked by learning disabilities, physical similarities of the face (short neck, wide nose, epicanthic fold to the eyes), and a series of related birth defects such as sleep apnea and congenital heart defects. Yet few human beings seem able to love and be loved more than someone with Down syndrome. These links help parents of children with Down syndrome, and pregnant women, learn more about it.

The Arc: http://www.thearc.org/
Formerly the Association of Retarded Citizens, a community-based organization for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Breastfeeding a Baby With Down Syndrome: http://www.llli.org//FAQ/down.html
An informational page from La Leche League.

Congenital Heart Defects in Children: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=12012/
An informational page from the American Heart Association.

Down's Heart Group: http://www.dhg.org.uk/
A UK charity for those with cardiac issues.

The Down Syndrome Education Trust: http://www.downsed.org/
A British group disseminating information about Down Syndrome around the globe.

Down Syndrome Quarterly: http://dsrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=publications.dsq/
A medical journal published by the Down Syndrome Research Foundation.

Disorders Affecting the Thyroid: http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/wellness_index.jsp?id=-9052/
An informational page from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Fact Sheet on Down Syndrome: http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs4txt.htm
Published by the Department of Education's National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.

Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;107/2/442/
A policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Hearing and Vision Loss Associated with Down Syndrome: http://www.deafblind.com/downmoss.html
An informational page from A-Z on Deafblindness.

International Mosaic Down Syndrome Association (IMDSA): http://www.imdsa.com/
An nonprofit founded in 2002 to aid families with a member with mosaic Down syndrome.