Down SyndromeDown Syndrome

Lauren DasselLauren DasselHuman InteractionsHuman Interactions

April 7,2011April 7,2011

Definition:Definition:

► A common chromosome disorder due to an extra chromosome A common chromosome disorder due to an extra chromosome number 21 (trisomy 21). number 21 (trisomy 21). Down syndromeDown syndrome causes mental causes mental

retardation, a characteristic face, and multiple malformations.retardation, a characteristic face, and multiple malformations. http://http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekeywww.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3112=3112

Characteristics:Characteristics:► Some of the most common facial characteristics of Down syndrome are a flat facial Some of the most common facial characteristics of Down syndrome are a flat facial

profile, a broad forehead, a short neck, an upward slant to the eye, a narrow slit to the profile, a broad forehead, a short neck, an upward slant to the eye, a narrow slit to the eyes, white spots in the iris of the eyes, which are known as Brushfield spots and eyes, white spots in the iris of the eyes, which are known as Brushfield spots and abnormally shaped ears. They have a small, depression near the nose with slightly abnormally shaped ears. They have a small, depression near the nose with slightly flattened bridge across. Mouth is small with slightly protruding tongue. Their arms and flattened bridge across. Mouth is small with slightly protruding tongue. Their arms and legs are short with short fingers and toes, with a little finger curving inward. There is a legs are short with short fingers and toes, with a little finger curving inward. There is a horizontal, deep crease in the palm of their hand. There is a large space between the horizontal, deep crease in the palm of their hand. There is a large space between the first and second toe.first and second toe.

► http://www.buzzle.com/articles/characteristics-of-down-syndrome.htmlhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/characteristics-of-down-syndrome.html

Taking care of people that have Taking care of people that have down syndrome: down syndrome: ► With modern With modern medical caremedical care, many persons with Down syndrome live , many persons with Down syndrome live

into adulthood, although they do have a shorter life expectancy (55 into adulthood, although they do have a shorter life expectancy (55 years) than normal adults because they develop the degenerative years) than normal adults because they develop the degenerative conditions of conditions of old ageold age prematurely. prematurely. There are no drugs designed to treat Down syndrome, because little There are no drugs designed to treat Down syndrome, because little is known about the exact molecular mechanisms that give rise to the is known about the exact molecular mechanisms that give rise to the symptoms of the disorder. However, scientists have identified a gene symptoms of the disorder. However, scientists have identified a gene on chromosome 21 that disrupts normal embryonic cell development on chromosome 21 that disrupts normal embryonic cell development in trisomy 21 and may cause the manifestation of certain symptoms. in trisomy 21 and may cause the manifestation of certain symptoms. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/170453/Down-syndromehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/170453/Down-syndrome

How you can take care of your How you can take care of your child if they have Down child if they have Down Syndrome: Syndrome: ► StepStep 1:Always take your child to his regular medical appointments: Do not 1:Always take your child to his regular medical appointments: Do not

miss your child's medical appointments. Taking your child to his caregiver miss your child's medical appointments. Taking your child to his caregiver often will help keep him healthy. often will help keep him healthy.

► Step 2:Always have him vaccinated: Take your child to his caregiver for Step 2:Always have him vaccinated: Take your child to his caregiver for vaccinations. Since your child may get infections easily, it is important for him vaccinations. Since your child may get infections easily, it is important for him to get these shots to protect his health. to get these shots to protect his health.

► Step 3:Educate yourself about your child's condition: Read about Down Step 3:Educate yourself about your child's condition: Read about Down syndrome. Ask your child's caregivers about the effects of the condition on syndrome. Ask your child's caregivers about the effects of the condition on your child. The more you know about Down syndrome and its problems, the your child. The more you know about Down syndrome and its problems, the better you can help your child. better you can help your child.

► Step 4: Read books and sing to your child. Do activities together that will Step 4: Read books and sing to your child. Do activities together that will make your child use his legs, arms, hands, and feet. Do these things over and make your child use his legs, arms, hands, and feet. Do these things over and over again. over again.

► Step 5: Just talk to other family’s that have kids that have down syndrome. Step 5: Just talk to other family’s that have kids that have down syndrome. You might get a better description of your child’s disability. You might get a better description of your child’s disability. http://www.drugs.com/cg/down-syndrome.html

How “I” can help improve the How “I” can help improve the life of someone with the life of someone with the disability:disability:► People can help kids with Down Syndrome by doing the special People can help kids with Down Syndrome by doing the special

Olympics. All the kids that have disabilities all go and they get to run Olympics. All the kids that have disabilities all go and they get to run

on the track and do other things, just like the real Olympics.on the track and do other things, just like the real Olympics.

The End!(: The End!(:

Works Cited Works Cited ► http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3112http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=3112► http://www.buzzle.com/articles/characteristics-of-down-syndrome.htmlhttp://www.buzzle.com/articles/characteristics-of-down-syndrome.html

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/170453/Down-syndromehttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/170453/Down-syndrome