According to the Mayo Clinic, people with Down syndrome typically live at least 60 years. About one hundred years ago, however, people with the condition often died before they reached age 10.
The Mayo Clinic describes many health problems to which people with Down syndrome are susceptible. About 50 percent of babies born with the condition also have heart defects, and surgery is often needed during infancy. Frequently, those with Down Syndrome suffer immune system abnormalities, so their risk of pneumonia and other infectious diseases is higher than those without the condition. Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are more common among people with Down syndrome. Sleep apnea, obesity and leukemia are also more prevalent.
