ated with the syndrome, where there definitely [are] a lot of positives as well,” she said. “Many of the children grow up to be individuals with mild intellectual disability, so they partici- pate in and contribute to their families and communities. Some work and may live independently, but will need sup- port and some assistance to handle money.” Dr. Fasci noted statistics from the


Global Down Syndrome Foundation showing 39.4 percent of people with Down syndrome are in the mild in- tellectual disability range, with an IQ between 50 and 70. One percent are in the borderline intellectual function range, with an IQ between 70 and 80. Rep. Geanie Morrison (R-Victoria)


introduced HB 3374, which requires the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to make available in- formation on the disorder, including physical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial outcomes; life ex- pectancy; functional and intellectual development; available treatment options; and contact information for national and local education and sup- port programs, organizations, services, hotlines, and resource centers. The law went into effect in Septem-


ber 2015, and the DSHS brochure be- came available last February. To view it, visit tma.tips/DownSyndromeInfo. Physicians who diagnose a child


with Down syndrome, including un- born children, are required to provide the DSHS information to parents; however, physicians may provide pa- tients other current, evidence-based sources of information on the disease as well. The law forbids the DSHS- prepared information from presenting pregnancy termination as an option for parents who receive a prenatal di- agnosis. Language in HB 3374 stipu- lates it doesn’t impose a standard of care for practitioners. At press time, TMA was preparing


two videos — one for obstetrician- gynecologists and one for family phy- sicians — to inform them about HB 3374 and their responsibilities under


September 2016 TEXAS MEDICINE 37


FACTS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME 6,000


syndrome, about one in every 700 babies born


39.4% 1%


(70–80) 8.2 or older


Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome/data .html; Global Down Syndrome Foundation, www.global downsyndrome.org/about-down-syndrome/facts-about- down-syndrome; Texas Department of State Health Services, The Health Status of Texas 2014


Cases of Down syndrome in Texas in 2009 per 10,000 live births by mothers aged 19–34


54.7


Cases of Down syndrome in Texas in 2009 per 10,000 live births by mothers aged 35


Percentage of people with Down syndrome with an IQ in the mild


intellectual disability range (50–70)


Percentage of people with Down syndrome with an IQ in the borderline intellectual function range


Estimated number of babies per year in the United States born with Down


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