Down Syndrome: A Mental Illness

. Down syndrome is not a disease that someone catches and is not caused by difficulties during the pregnancy, it is a genetic condition. This condition is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the body’s cells and causes a redundant amount of proteins to be formed. All cells of the body derive from a single cell formed by the fusion of a father’s sperm and a mother’s egg. Each cell carries a nucleus full of genetic material known as genes. These genes are inherited from both the mother and father. Each cell normally contains 46 pairs of chromosomes. 23 chromosomes come from one parent and 23 from the other, hence the 46 pairs. When it comes to children with down syndrome, one of the chromosomes does not separate properly and so the

Babies are born with poor muscle tone causing weak muscles and making it harder for them to develop motor skills such as using their arms and legs. It is harder for them to grasp objects, crawl, and walk. Children with Down syndrome have difficulty with their cognitive (thinking) abilities, problem solving, memory retention, social, language, and motor skills. This is one reason why people with Down syndrome become frustrated very easily.

The aetiology of Downs syndrome which means the cause of a specific disease (Mcferran, 2014). Suggests that when one of the chromosomes in reproduction do not separate properly this is when Down’s Syndrome is caused (Steven, 2005). This extra chromosome causes physical developmental defects this causes reduced muscle tone, a small mouth with a projecting tongue and eyes that slant downwards and upwards and causing the back of their head to be flat. Many babies born with Down's Syndrome are diagnosed with the condition after birth and are likely to have many physical defects for example they may have reduced muscle tone, eyes that slant upwards and outwards, a small mouth with a protruding tongue and a flat back of the head. (Hartley, 2015). Down Syndrome patients can also be afflicted with other conditions, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and leukemia (WHO, 2010). This could effect children and adults through out their life also effecting their physical and mental health.

a child who doesn´t. When a child has down syndrome there are very noticeable symptoms like: flattened facial features, short neck, small head or poor muscle tone . Some other symptoms that could be present are: more flexibility than a healthy person would have, brushfield spots which are tiny dots on the iris of the eye or unusually shaped ears. Although babies with Down syndrome seem to be the same size as normal babies, they end up growing slower causing some of the unusual formalities. Also things like walking or sitting can happen at a later age than usual for kids with this genetic disorder (3). Not only are there physical symptoms that are easier for us to notice but there are also health problems that can occur with this disorder as well. Babies who have Down syndrome are likely to have health problems like: mild to moderate cognitive disabilities, heart defects, depression or behavior problems and many others

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes a range of physical disorders and developmental delays. It can be identified by some of the physical attributes the disorder comes with. These include a single deep crease across the palm of the hand, slightly flattened facial profile, and an upward slant to the eyes. To confirm the diagnoses doctors run a karyotype, which is a chromosomal analysis. They do this by extracting a blood sample and grouping chromosomes by size, number and shape.

Symptoms of down syndrome are the following Flat facial features, Small head, Short neck, Protruding tongue, Upward slanting eyes, that is unusual for the child's ethnic group, Unusually shaped or small ears, Poor muscle tone. Broad, short hands with a single crease in the palm, Relatively short fingers and small hands and feet, Excessive flexibility. Tiny white spots on the colored part or the iris of the eye called Brushfield spots, Short height. Infants and children with down syndrome may be average size at birth , but typically they grow slower and remain shorter than other children the same age. In general, developmental milestones, such as sitting, crawling or walking may occur at about twice the age of child without impairment. People with down syndrome also suffer from cognitive delays. People affected by down syndrome varies greatly, it can happen to anyone, although more common in pregnant mothers 35 years or older. the cause of down syndrome is due to having an extra chromosome, therefore it is a disorder that happens 99% randomly and only 1% genetically. Unfortunately there is no cure, treatment or prevention for down syndrome as of today, but scientists are continuing to research for a cure. People with Down Syndrome live healthy, active lives and can function in an everyday environment.

Down syndrome is a disease in which chromosome 21 has extra genetic material delaying the way a child develops mentally and physically.

Down syndrome (known as Trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder caused when cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21. This genetic disorder occurs in about 1 of 800 live births. Down syndrome was first characterized a separate form of mental disability by John Langdon Down in 1862. By the 20th century the disability had become the most recognizable form of mental disability. These individuals have gone through a lot. In ancient times, many infants with this disability were killed or abandoned. The people with Down syndrome used to be called Mongolian idiots and the syndrome was called mongolism. This comes from the people thinking that Down syndrome individuals resembled Mongolians. It doesn’t only affect the individual

However, people with Down syndrome are able to live a happy, productive life with little

Down syndrome takes its name from Dr. Langdon Down. He was the first person to describe the syndrome in 1866. The earliest recorded incident of someone having Down syndrome dates back to an altar piece painted in a church in Aachen, Germany in 1504. Although the syndrome is named after Dr Langdon Down, he did not understand the condition, as we know it today. The syndrome was referred to as having mongolism. This was because people who have Down syndrome have similar physical characteristics to those people of oriental heritage.

Down syndrome has a large impact on human development, both mental and physical. Some of the common physical affects according to The Mayo Clinic: Flattened facial features, poor muscle tone,

Organ systems such as the brain, digestive tract, endocrine system, heart, eyes, ears, muscles, and bones can all be affected by Down syndrome. A patient with the brain affected by Down syndrome can have intellectual disabilities, delayed speech, and delayed motor skills. When the brain is affected they may also have Autistic behavior and even have Alzheimer disease. A person with Down syndrome may have malformed intestines or even other gastrointestinal diseases. They may become hypothyroid or diabetic as well. Cataracts, glaucoma, crossed eyes, or even hearing loss and chronic ear infections have been associated with Down syndrome. Short stature, predisposition to obesity, and abnormally loose joints are all physical abnormalities associated with Down

There are specific things to look for in people who have Down syndrome. According to WebMD, things to look for are, “Distinctive facial features, such as a flat face, small ears, slanting eyes, and a small mouth. A short neck and short arms and legs. Low muscle tone (hypotonia) and loose joints. Muscle tone usually improves by late childhood. Below-average intelligence.” (WebMD, 2005.) They do not all look alike. Some may have different shaped features such as, different eye shape, nose shape, head shape, or mouth. Many children with Down syndrome tend to look like their mother or

A person that has Down syndrome may have some physical problems or disabilities. Some common physical problems are: short necks, poor muscle tone, a small head and an overall smaller body. Approximately one third of babies born with Down syndrome have heart defects, most of which are now

The first disorder I am going to discuss is the neurodevelopmental disorder, Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome has always been fascinating to be as to its causes and its effects on people. Down Syndrome is congenital disorder resulting from a chromosome defect. Human’s have 23 pairs of chromosomes giving us a total of 46 chromosomes. When a person has Down Syndrome, they have 2 copies of chromosome 21, as opposed to the normal 1 copy of it. People who have Down Syndrome still have 23 pairs of chromosomes but, with an additional copy of chromosome 21, they have a total of 47 chromosomes. “This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome” (What is Down Syndrome, 2012). People who have from Down Syndrome will display both physical and cognitive symptoms ranging from mild to sever depending on the person. Physical symptoms of people with Down Syndrome can include; low muscle tone, small stature, flattened facial profile, wide hands with short fingers, and an upward slant in eyes. Cognitive symptoms of Down