What is Down Syndrome?
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder of the 21st
chromosome. At the start of a human beings life in the prenatal stage, on
inherits chromosomes that will determine some of the diverse factors in
personality and physical appearance. A chromosome is part of the structure of
DNA structure within cells. Most individuals contain 46 chromosomes, where half
have been inherited from the mother and half from the father. However,
sometimes abnormalities can occur, which results in many different genetic
based diseases.
Down Syndrome is a disease that is accompanied by mental and physical symptoms, which occurs because of the extra copy of the twenty first chromosome. The actual genetic mutation is an extra copy of the 21st chromosome which leads to changes in normal development. The chance of having a child with Down’s Syndrome increases as the mother gets older. Statistically, children born with Down’s Syndrome are 1 in 1250 women around age 25, but 1 in 100 for women at age 40.
Down Syndrome is a disease that is accompanied by mental and physical symptoms, which occurs because of the extra copy of the twenty first chromosome. The actual genetic mutation is an extra copy of the 21st chromosome which leads to changes in normal development. The chance of having a child with Down’s Syndrome increases as the mother gets older. Statistically, children born with Down’s Syndrome are 1 in 1250 women around age 25, but 1 in 100 for women at age 40.
Symptoms
Symptoms of this disease have a wide range of physical and mental development.
Some of the most prominent and distinguishable physical defects include:
Some of the most prominent and distinguishable physical defects include:
- Flat face, with an upward slant of the eyes
- Small hands and feet
- Deep creases in the palm of hands
- Shorter neck, and abnormal shaped ears
In addition to the physical defects, you often see a variety of health conditions that accompany the disease. Some include:
Cognitive development is also effected by this disease, and children with Down’s Syndrome show delays in development. There has been a history of behavior issues among these children, especially social discomfort and stubbornness. Though there are many faults that come with Down’s Syndrome, there are many resources for parents, and through education and knowledge of the disease, the child will be able to live normally in society.
- Heart disease
- Auditory defects
- Celiac disease
- Under active thyroid gland
Cognitive development is also effected by this disease, and children with Down’s Syndrome show delays in development. There has been a history of behavior issues among these children, especially social discomfort and stubbornness. Though there are many faults that come with Down’s Syndrome, there are many resources for parents, and through education and knowledge of the disease, the child will be able to live normally in society.