The IAA One Minute Blog

Eighteen month old Lucas Warren made history on February 7, 2018. He is the first child with Down syndrome to become Gerber’s “spokesbaby of the year” in its 91 year history.

Gerber picked Warren from more than 140,000 entries to its photo search contest. This means that Warren’s parents will get a $50,000 prize and he will appear on Gerber’s social media channels and will be featured in Gerber ads throughout the year.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a set of physical and mental traits caused by a gene problem that happens before birth. It is caused by a problem with a baby’s chromosomes. Normally a person has 46 chromosomes, but most people with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes. This is due to abnormal cell division resulting in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21.  

These genetic variations can cause Down syndrome:

1. Trisomy 21: About 95 percent of the time, Down syndrome is caused by Trisomy 21—the person has three copies of chromosome 21, instead of the usual two.

2. Mosaic Down syndrome: A person has only some cells with an extra copy of chromosome 21.

3. Translocation Down syndrome: This can occur when a portion of chromosome 21 becomes attached (translocated) onto another chromosome. These children have the usual two copies of chromosome 21, but they also have additional genetic material from chromosome 21 attached to another chromosome.

Down syndrome is the most common genetic chromosomal disorder and cause of learning disabilities in children.

Signs and Symptoms

Children and adults with Down syndrome have distinct features. Some of the more common features include:

• Broad, short hands with a single crease in the palm
• Excessive flexibility
• Flattened face
• Poor muscle tone
• Protruding tongue
• Relatively short fingers and small hands and feet
• Short height
• Short neck
• Small head
• Tiny white spots on the colored part of the eye
• Unusually shaped or small ears
• Upward slanting eyelids

Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Language is delayed and both short and long-term memory is affected.

What IAA has to Say

The new Gerber spokesbaby has shown that people with special needs can do anything! Insurance Administrator of America hopes that that message can be spread. Remember, with IAA one call does it all.

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