Genetic Down Syndrome

Down syndrome occurs in people who were born with three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This extra genetic material is what brings about the effects of Down’s syndrome. It is often characterized by an impairment of cognitive (process of thought) ability. Most people with Down syndrome have lower than average, mild to moderate, cognitive ability and this cannot be predicted at birth. A smaller number fall into the severe impairment range. Physically, people with Down’s syndrome are smaller in stature, have less muscle tone, and have noticeably different facial features. The number of these births occurs approximately in one out of every one thousand (ndss.org). As of 2007, the number of people in the United States with Down syndrome stood at about 350,000. These numbers will shrink because now (most) potential parents can know the condition of the fetus early. This information is included to let the reader relate to the struggles that some with Down syndrome goes through.

Parenting a child with Down syndrome can be as rewarding as parenting a child without disability. Consideration also needs to be given to the cost of raising a child with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society state children with Down syndrome are now living longer lives and may require specialized education, increased medical costs due to heart abnormalities, and long term physical rehabilitation due to the generalized weaknesses related to weak muscle tone. There is a substantial cost factor to consider when raising a child with Down

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.

There are no standard medical problem or physical defect that is linked with all patients with Down Syndrome. The symptoms can differ from one child to another, which is why some child patients require a lot of medical help, whereas many others live healthily (Girod, 2001).

Mental Health with people with down syndrome varies all depending on the age and developmental characteristics of the person who has down syndrome. Young people who have down syndrome would have trouble with: Language, communication skills, and non- verbal's. Adolescents who have down syndrome deal more with: Depression, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. Adults with down syndrome deal with: Depression, anxiety, and

Down syndrome occurs in approximately 1 out of every 700 babies born in the United States (“Facts About Down Syndrome,” 2014). As a result, the level of awareness is not as high as that of disabilities that are more common. This campaign caters not only to the active publics, which would include parents and close members of someone with Down syndrome, but also aroused publics, who recognize and care about the issue at hand, but are not as knowledgeable about Down syndrome.

Down Syndrome is a medical condition that causes a delay in how a child develops, both mentally and physically. Each year, about 6,000 babies are born with Down Syndrome (DS), which is about 1 in 700 babies born. The cause of DS is unknown, meaning scientists don’t know how people get it, but we do know how it happens after the diagnosis. A baby is usually born with 46 chromosomes, 23 from each parent. Most likely is a DS case, the child has 47 chromosomes and has an extra “chromosome 21”. The extra genetic material is why children get DS, but scientists don’t know how it happens.

While nothing done before or during a pregnancy can cause Down syndrome a diagnosis can be available as early as pregnancy. An amniocentesis (thin needle inserted through the mother’s abdomen into the placenta) performed by a medical professional can easily identify the chromosomal abnormality or after birth with a simple blood test performed on the newborn. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the earlier parents can begin processing and using all the available resources to educate themselves on raising a child with Down syndrome. Parents will be able to gain the knowledge needed so that their child can receive the appropriate therapy and participate in activities that have been designed especially for this exceptionality, activities, which are geared to expand cognitive, social, emotional, and intellectual capacity.

‘’Down syndrome is a type of mental retardation caused by extra genetic material in chromosome 21’’ (8), Down syndrome can cause a number of medical complications (6). Some of these complications are more serious than others, but most of them can be treated (6). Although Down Syndrome patients do not live for a long time, but their short life span is challenged with many critical problems. The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome increased dramatically between 1960 and 2007 and in 1960, on average, persons with Down syndrome lived to be about 10 years old; however, in 2007, on average, persons with Down syndrome lived to be about 47 years old (7). Furthermore, Down syndrome affects the patients life mentally, socially, 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

Down syndrome is commonly known by the public as a disease that causes physical and mental disabilities in people. Down syndrome is known by the scientific community as a genetic disorder of the twenty-first chromosome. As a result of this genetic disorder other systems of the body are also affected, this includes mental and physical disabilities. Down syndrome “is a lifelong condition… that happens before birth” (WebMD, 2015). According to the National Down Syndrome Society one in every 691 babies are born with the condition (NDSS, 2015). In order to understand this condition it is

The article “Down Syndrome” reviewed by Dr. Mary Gavin, thoroughly explains the causes, affects and diagnosis of the condition. This genetic condition involves the individual gaining an extra chromosome, ending up with 47 instead of 46. A person with Down syndrome facial and bodily features will be distinctly unique, making it easy to characterize them from others. Consistent medical attention is crucial for a child with the condition, even if the child appears to have no significant health concerns. With out proper care, the child could develop pulmonary hypertension, worsened vision and hearing, seizures, asthma, infections etc. Prenatal screening

Down syndrome is characterized as a chronic genetic chromosomal disorder which alters one’s cognitive growth, intellectual development, and physical characteristics. This extremely widespread condition is most prominently existent in human beings whose genetic makeup is composed of an additional copy of chromosome 21. Additionally, these human beings are known for acquiring 47 chromosomes rather than the conventional 46 chromosomes. This chromosomal abnormality is extremely common, yet highly spontaneous. To illustrate, the prevalence of Down Syndrome is exhibited as around

Down syndrome is a congenital chromosomal disorder during maternal meiosis. This is one of the most common chromosomal disease that has been confirmed (Epstein, 2013). Down syndrome causes some symptoms in children’s physical and mental aspects, which have significant differences with other people. It may cause the life of the child is abnormal and cannot live independently in the future. With the increased population of children with Down syndrome in Australia, it becomes prominent that they strongly impact on their family and society in both positive and negative ways. This article will introduce some basic information about Down syndrome, discuss its early intervention and ethical issues of having a baby with Down syndrome, and result in coming up with views in regards to terminating or continuing with the pregnancy of a foetus diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Women’s Health, talks about the different outcomes of a child with disabilities, and how they would fare in the real world without any special treatment or services. “Early intervention services try to address the needs of children with disabilities and the needs of their families as early as possible.” Upon reading this, one can now see that raising a child with a disability requires immediate attention, and resources that a mother might not have just coming from giving birth. Down Syndrome Education Online goes into detail about the ups and downs of raising a child with down syndrome as well as other diseases. The website explains how although there are some families that flourish with a child who has a disability, there are other families who don’t do so well. “In these families, brothers, sisters and the child with Down syndrome are more likely to show behaviour difficulties. Parents are more likely to be struggling to cope and experiencing depression or health problems. All family relationships will be strained and family life affected. Some of the reasons that lead to families having a hard time have been identified and this information may be able to help parents, extended families and services to pinpoint their needs and ways to improve their situation if life is difficult to manage at present.” Even though there can be exceptions for families and mom’s with kids who have disabilities, some