Several medical problems are common in individuals with Down Syndrome. These include: -40-50% of children with Down Syndrome are born with a heart problem and almost half of them need heart surgery. -A large number of children with Down Syndrome have problems with hearing and vision. -Thyroid gland disorders. -Weak immune system. -Problems with breathing, coughs and more frequent colds. -Blockage of the digestive tract. However, with advanced medical methods, most of these problems are curable. It is also important to emphasize that some individuals with Down Syndrome do not have any medical problems at all. Advanced methods in recent years have shown that individuals with Down Syndrome are living much longer. The average lifespan of individuals with Down Syndrome is 60-65 years, but there are those who live longer than that.