Table IV.

Distinguishing severity of impacts

Categories of genetic conditions
Shortened lifespan Many children do not live past 5 years of age, even with medical interventions Many children do not live past 18 years of age, even with medical interventions Many adults do not live past 40 years of age, even with medical interventions
	Serious	Mild
Intellectual impairments	Many children will have long-term dependency on others for care	Many children will not be high achievers in school but can function independently as adults
Medically involved	Many children take daily medications or use special diets, and typically see a doctor four or more times a year and may need occasional hospitalizations	Many children will need to follow a special diet or take daily medications, and typically need to see a doctor fewer than four times a year
Physical impairments	Many children will have impairments that will affect their lives daily, such as serious hearing, vision, or mobility problems	Many children will be clumsy and not excel in sports or have reduced vision or hearing
Adult onset conditions	Most people do not develop symptoms until adulthood, but these symptoms typically include serious intellectual or physical impairments, or are very medically involved	Most people do not develop symptoms until adulthood, and these symptoms typically include mild intellectual or physical impairment or are mildly medically involved