Trisomy 21Down Syndrome

Marissa LazenbyComm 1010

Just ONE extra chromosome!

There’s an extra number 21 chromosome, which makes the child have Down Syndrome.

A small blood sample can be taken and the chromosomes can be analyzed.

Analyze cells in the amniotic fluid or from the placenta.

These tests are 99.9 % accurate. But most people just receive an ultrasound during

pregnancy and call it good, but since babies with Down syndrome may look the same on ultrasound as those without Down syndrome, these tests are not accurate.

Do parents know their child has down syndrome before birth?

Shorter than an average adult.  

Weak muscles throughout the body.

A short, wide neck. 

Short, stocky arms and legs.

Eye problems, such as cataracts or trouble seeing objects. Happens to almost 70%.

Body features of those with down syndrome include:

Brush field spots in the eyes.

Single crease along the palms of hands.

Short stubby fingers, pinky turns inward.

Straight, fine, and thin hair.

Larger than normal spaces between fingers and toes.

Continued..

Slanted eyes. Tissue may also build up on the colored part of the eye (iris). But the child's vision is not affected by this buildup.

A nasal bridge that looks pushed in. The nasal bridge is the flat area between the nose and eyes.

Small ears. And they may be set low on the head. Irregularly shaped mouth and tongue. The child's

tongue may be big with wrinkles and partly stick out of mouth. The roof of the mouth (palate) may be narrow and high with a downward curve.

Dental abnormalities. Teeth often come in late, may be crooked and not in the same order that other children's teeth come in.

Face and Features

Intellectual disability. Most children with Down syndrome have mild to moderate cognitive disability.

Heart defects. About half of the children who have Down syndrome are born with a heart defect.

Hypothyroidism, celiac disease, and eye conditions.

Respiratory infections, hearing problems, or dental problems.

Depression or behavior problems associated with ADHD or autism.

Health Issues

Persons with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before.

An increased risk for certain types of leukemia. Adults with Down syndrome have an increased

risk for dementia.  Average life expectancy of individuals with

Down syndrome is 56 years, with many living into their sixties and seventies. This has increased from 28 in 1983.

Down’s happens once in every 800 births.

Expectations

There is currently no way to prevent Down syndrome, Mothers can take steps before and during pregnancy

to have a healthy pregnancy. Taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid, not smoking,

and not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.   It has been known for some time that the incidence of

Down syndrome increases with advancing maternal age.

However, 80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age.

Prevention

 Each individual has his/her own

unique personality, capabilities and

talents.

http://children.webmd.com/tc/down-syndrome-symptoms

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001992/

http://downsyndrome.about.com/od/featuresofdownsyndrome/a/featurelong_ro_2.htm

Work Cited