Learn About Down Syndrome!!
By: RiKiyah Hudson
What is Down Syndrome?
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that is caused by an error in cell division that results in an extra 21st chromosome. Down syndrome is sometimes called Down's Syndrome or Trisomy 21.
When was Down Syndrome discovered?
In 1866, Doctor John Langdon Down first described Down syndrome as a disorder, but he misunderstood how Down syndrome arises. The cause of Down syndrome was discovered rather recently in 1959. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder and the most common cause of cognitive impairment.
Symptoms Of Down Syndrome
People who seem to have down syndrome have learning difficulties, mental retardation, and poor muscle tone. Patients that have Down Syndrome have an increased risk for an heart attack.
How Is Down Syndrome Inherited?
Down Syndrome and Mosaic Down Syndrome can not be inherited. Translocation Down Syndrome can be inherited though.
The Diagnosis
Its really not a diagnosis for Down Syndrome only physical therapy and surgery can help. If the patient can't walk or move correctly physical therapy will help. If the person can't see or swallow correctly surgery will be performed.
Different Types Of Down Syndrome
It is three types of different Down Syndrome: Trisomy 21, translocation, and mosaicism. Trisomy results in an embryo with three copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual two. Translocation accounts for about 4% of cases of Down Syndrome the total number of chromosomes in cells remains 46. Mosaicism is diagnosed when its a mixture of two type of cells some containing the usual 46 chromosomes and some containing 47.
What Causes Down Syndrome ?
The cause of this specific syndrome is still unknown today. Maternal age is the only factor that has been linked to increase the chance of a child being born with it. There is no scientific research that tells us down syndrome is caused by environmental factors.
How Does This Disorder Impact A Person With It .
Patients with Down Syndromes might face hearing loss, heart defects, ear infections, eye diseases, and obstructive sleep apnea. Many people with Down Syndrome have the common facial features but no major birth defects.
Fun Facts !!
This picture shows the maternal age group for down syndrome.
More Fun Facts !!
This picture shows how the chromosomes look when diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
Another Fun Fact !!
This picture will shows a diagram of how down syndrome cells look.
On Down -- Down Syndrome
Christopher's Story ( A Down Syndrome Story )
Christopher was born with down syndrome and you know it was very hard for his parents to take in. When he was one month old he went in congestive heart failure. In order to go into open heart surgery he had to gain weight he had a hard time gaining weight, so therefore he had a special tube to help him gain the right amount of weight. When he was 4 months old he went into surgery and with the help of god everything went well. Now Christopher is 6 years old he's now a happy, healthy kindergartner.
Frank's Story
Frank is 41 years old and he was born with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). He likes karate he attended numerous of karate tournaments. Frank even learned how to play a electric keyboard! He is also a teacher at a special needs school. Frank has a lot of good things set for him in the future and we wish him them the best of luck!
Lumina's Story
Lumina went through a lot considering that she was born with down syndrome. When she was 3 months old she went through open heart surgery, she went to the hospital for two cases of pneumonia, and she had swallowing problems. Lumina isn't scared at all she still manages to live life like a normal girl and doesn't think about her diagnosis.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy for people with Down Syndrome has increased a very good amount in the recent decades from 25 in 1983 to 60 years old today! Now imagine that people with Down Syndrome can live up to 70 or 80 years old with proper therapy or treatment.
Summary !
Down syndrome is a set of cognitive and physical symptoms that result from having an extra chromosome 21 or an extra piece of that chromosome. People with this diagnosis have problems like ear infections, trouble swallowing, trouble sleeping, and heart failure. There is no cure for Down Syndrome only surgeries to fix common problems or therapy. The life expectancy for a patient was 25 but people with it lived up to 60 years old!