Survival of persons with Down syndrome

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The association of Down syndrome with multiple birth defects results in increased mortality. But what is the actual risk of death for infants with Down syndrome? Rasmussen et al report a 1-year survival of 93% and a 10-year survival of 88.6% for live births with Down syndrome between 1979 and 1998. Factors associated with increased risk of death were black maternal race, congenital heart disease, and low birth weight. The cause of the association of black maternal race with increased mortality is unexplained and should be explored further. Although mortality from birth to 10 years of age is increased for individuals with Down syndrome, almost 90% of these children survive and most of the deaths occur in the first year of life.