Disability Medical Conditions: Edwards Syndrome
Edwards Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 18, is second only to Down Syndrome in autosomal trisomy disorders. Most infants die within two months and only five to ten percent live past the first year. The disease affects about 54,000 children or one out of 5,000 to 6,000 births in the United States. While the disease has happened to babies born of women of all ages the risks of having a baby with Edward’s Syndrome increases with a woman’s age. The National Institutes of Health lists the condition as a rare disease since
Babies born with the disease can exhibit a variety of symptoms. Some are born with their intestines on the outside of their body and have other major organ damage. Others just show developmental delays and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include club feet and difficulty breathing.
Often families with babies who have Edwards Syndrome struggle to pay the medical bills and at times one parent must quit their job to care for their child. Social Security Income and the benefits are often a lifeline for these families who need the money to pay bills. The disease is listed by the Social Security Administration under it Compassionate Allowances Program. The program expedites the application process so that families can collect the benefits quickly.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Edwards Syndrome. However, expectant moms can have prenatal testing that will tell them if their child will have the condition so that they can prepare for treatment of their baby.