Essay On Down Syndrome

Help Raise Awareness Of Down Syndrome

Introduction

What I am doing and why.

The reason behind my booklet is to help raise awareness of down syndrome. Also in relation to article 1 states "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood" (reference). Also to help parents who are not sure if they want to have the prenatal test or have had a positive prenatal screening or have just given birth to a child who has down syndrome. I have the history behind how the discovery was founded, information about down syndrome. I have information behind the beginning of prenatal testing and also the risks of having the tests done. I have a section that I will talk about how society has changed over the years. Another section will have some stories and letter that family, students and teachers have written on their experiences also I have some opinion pieces by people with religious beliefs. I will also include some resources and also websites that you can visit to get more information.

Background information

History of Down Syndrome and Prenatal Testing.

Dictionary.com defines Down Syndrome as a genetic disorder, associated with the presence of an extra chromosome 21, characterised by mild to severe mental impairment, weak muscle tone, shorter statue, and flattened facial profile. Also know as Trisomy 21... Down syndrome has replaced earlier terms, such as mongolism to refer to the disease and Mongoloid

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder in which a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. There are three genetic variations that cause Down syndrome: Trisomy 21, Mosaic Trisomy 21 or Translocation Trisomy 21. There are many ways in which theses disorders affect the body. Trisomy 21 occurs when an egg orsperm comes in with an extra copy of chromosome 21, then, once an embryo is formed and starts to develop, the chromosome is replicated in every single cell of the embryo. Trisomy 21 is the most common type of Down syndrome. About 92% of Down syndrome patients have this type. People with Trisomy usually have physical problems.Mosaic Trisomy 21 happens when an egg or sperm come in with an extra copy of chromosome 21, then,...show more content...

Also, there is a greater risk of a child having Down syndrome if the mother is over 35 years old.

There are three ways that a mother can be tested during pregnancy to see if their child will have Down syndrome. One is amniocentesis, which is the removal and analysis of a small sample of fetal cells from the amniotic fluid. Amniocentesis can not be done until the 14–18th week of pregnancy and with this process there is a lower risk of miscarriage than with the other two processes. Another process is chorionic villus sampling (CVS), which is the extraction of a tiny amount of fetal tissue at 9 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. The tissue is then tested for the presence of extra material from chromosome 21. Chorionic villus sampling has a 1–2% chance of the mother having a miscarriage. The last process is percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS), which is the most accurate method used to confirm the results of CVS or amniocentesis. During PUBS the tissue is tested for the presence of extra material from chromosome 21. PUBS cannot be done until the 18–22nd week and it carries a high risk of the mother having a miscarriage.

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 Get more content

Down syndrome

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. Thesyndrome was referred to as having mongolism. This was because people who have Down syndrome have similar physical characteristics to those people of oriental heritage.

The diagnosis of the syndrome can be made shortly after birth. Most parents who find out their child has it have conflicting emotions. These can include shock, feelings of disbelief, feelings...show more content...

There are slightly more boys born with the syndrome than girls. It is also seen in all ethnic groups.

In most cases, the doctor will be able to recognize if the child has Down syndrome right after birth. They are mostly able to tell by the child's appreance. There are certain features that some, but not all Down syndrome children have.

1. The child with Down syndrome usually has a rounded face.

2. The back of the head is slightly flattened.

3. The eyes of nearly all children and adults with the syndrome slant slightly upwards. There is also a small fold of skin that runs between the inner corner of the eye and the nose.

4. The mouth is smaller than average and the tongue is larger.

5. The hands tend to be board with short fingers. The little finger sometimes has only one joint instead of two.

6. The feet tend to be stubby and have a wide gap between the first and second toes.

7. Children with Down syndrome usually weigh less than average at birth. They are normally shorter than other children and tend to be overweight.

8. They have flabby muscle tone and poor coordination due to less control over the motor nerves.

9. About one third of children born with Down syndrome will be having a heart abnormality. The most common being atrioventricular septal

defect. This is when there is a hole between the two atria. About one in six children will have this abnormality.

10. Children also have vision

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Informative Speech On Down Syndrome

Topic

Down Syndrome

Specific Purpose Statement: To inform my audience about Down syndrome. Central Idea/Thesis: The most common type of chromosomal condition is Down syndrome and there are a few different types of this condition, along with, several different traits that are displayed with this condition.

Introduction

Did you know that close to 6,000 babies are born with Down syndrome every year in the United States? The most common type of chromosomal condition is Down syndrome and there are a few different types of this condition, along with, several different traits that are displayed with this condition. I have always been interested in the topic of Down syndrome and thought it was a great idea to study more about it for my speech.

First, I will tell you about what Down syndrome is and who discovered it. Second, I will talk to you about some symptoms and characteristics of this chromosome disorder. Third, I will discuss the 3 different types of this condition, and lastly, how they diagnose Down syndrome prenatally. Transition statement: Let me start by discussing what Down syndrome is and the "father" of this condition.

Body

I. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition.

A. It is named after John Langdon Down, and English physician, who produced a description of a person with Down syndrome in 1866.

B. Professor JГ©rГґme Lejeune, a French Pediatrician and Geneticist, discovered that Down syndrome was a chromosomal abnormality in 1959.

C. Down syndrome happens when there is

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There are many different types of children with a myriad of needs in our school system. Included within this group of students are those who are diagnosed with Down syndrome. There are more than 250,000 people living in the United States with a Down syndrome diagnosis (Genetics). Down syndrome is not a hidden disability rather it has physical attributes that can make the diagnosis obvious. Furthermore, individuals with Down syndrome and their families have to cope with multiple health issues, cognitive limitations, and the stigma of having a disability. In order to understand the struggle that people with Down syndrome must face from the beginning of their life, we must first understand where the diagnosis came from. Down syndrome was...show more content...

The error is known as non–disjunction, which occurs in cell division at the moment of conception (Olney). Though scientists have been able to pin point the origin of down syndrome to this specific moment, there is little knowledge as to why the non–disjunction occurs in the first place. Early detection is possible through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, which is a test done to check for any chromosomal abnormalities while the baby is still in utero (Olney). Women that are over the age of 35 are recommended to have this test completed because they are at risk of the abnormalities occurring (Olney) One of the abnormalities is that they have a higher chance of having a child that has Down syndrome. Even without early detection tests it is still possible to determine if a person has Down syndrome. This is done through karyotyping which is a test of the number of chromosomes in a sample of body cells (Crocker). The test also looks at the size and the shape of the chromosomes. This testing helps to identify if there are extra, missing or abnormal positioning of the chromosomes (Karyotype Test). Trisomy 21 is the most common cause of Down syndrome. It accounts for 95 percent of cases, Translocation Down Syndrome accounts for 4 percent and Mosaic Down Syndrome accounts for only 1 percent (Crocker). Trisomy 21 has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two

Down syndrome is a congenital disorder resulting from a chromosome defect. Down syndrome affects people of all ages, race, and economic status. It causes an increased risk of health problems and developmental issues. Researchers have found that centuries ago there were people who seemed to depict the same features of those with Down syndrome today. In 1866, John Langdon Down was the first to identify Down syndrome as a disorder. Before he described it as a disorder, those with Down syndrome were killed, abandoned, or excluded from society. Many were also institutionalized and received improper treatment because of the uncertainty of the disorder. In 1959, the French physician J

me Lejeune identified Down syndrome as a chromosomal condition. Instead of the usual 46 chromosomes present in each cell, Lejeune observed 47 in the cells of individuals with Down syndrome. Down syndrome occurs by nondisjunction. Nondisjunction is the failure of a pair of chromosomes to separate during egg, or sperm, formation. The embryo ends up with three copies of chromosome 21 when the defective chromosome's egg joins with a normal sperm...show more content... Although there is no direct treatment for Down syndrome, there are treatments for the complications that go along with the disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, persons born with Down syndrome have a higher risk of heart defects, leukemia, infectious diseases, obesity, and other related complications (Mayo Clinic Staff). There are available treatments for these conditions such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and regulated diets. The defect in the chromosomes in a person with Down syndrome causes their immune systems to be quite weak. These weak immune systems cause them to be much more susceptible to infectious diseases such as strep throat or chickenpox, which can typically be treated with Get

Down Syndrome

. 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...show more content...

Trisomy 21, also known as nondisjunction, means that there is an extra copy of chromosome 21 in the cell and is the most common. Translocation occurs when there are two 21 chromosomes plus an extra piece of chromosome 21 that had attached itself to another chromosome during the division process. Those who have mosaic down syndrome contain an extra chromosome 21 in only some of their cells while others are unaffected. People with mosaic down syndrome tend to have milder physical features and intellectual abilities than those who have trisomy 21 and translocation down syndrome. According to Mark Selikowitz, maternal age is a significant factor in causing trisomy 21. When females are born, all the eggs that a woman will produce are already present. The eggs wait years, some longer than others to be released and it is during the wait period (some 20–40 years) that it is believed errors can occur. On the contrary, man's sperm does not remain standing therefore less probability for error. Additionally, people with a family history of down syndrome and people who carry the genetic translocation are factors to consider whether the child would be at

In today's society more women need to be aware of the disorder that is becoming more common every year. A study shows that there are about 6,000 diagnoses of Down Syndrome each year in the United States("National association for Down syndrome"). One in every 800 babies is born with Down Syndrome (Marsh). This is a rise from the previously reported statistic of 1 in every 733, as it was reported in 2010. Down Syndrome is a common chromosome disorder due to an extra chromosome number 21("PudMedhealth"). Down Syndrome causes mental retardation, a characteristic facial features, and multiple abnormalities such as short, stocky bodies with thick hands and feet. Down Syndrome can have many affects on the family, but there are ways of coping...show more content...

About half of children with Down syndrome are born with heart problems. Severe heart problems may lead to early death. Persons with Down syndrome have an increased risk for certain types of leukemia, which can also cause early death. Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition that is associated with intellectual disability ("PudMedhealth"). Trisomy 21 is usually causes the abnormalities in children with Down syndrome. Trisomy 21 is an extra gene. The extent and effects of the extra copy vary among people everywhere; it depends on genetic history and by chance. While brain development and brain function reinforces all that children do, brain development is also an active and ongoing process after birth and it is influenced by input and activity. As children learn and develop the brain stores that information, and brain structure and function change as new learning takes place ("http://www.mayoclinic.com"). Interventions should take place, normal developmental milestones and try to make sure that a child who cannot participate in some of the age appropriate activities independently is being assisted to experience them. Two–thirds of families with children of Down Syndrome lead ordinary lives, with no long term negative affects to other members of the family (Marsh). Research shows that almost all families love and care for their child. These families do experience extra demands and extra stress but they

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Reflection Paper On Down Syndrome

I have always been fascinated by the way that the brain works. Psychology 101 exposed me to child development, state of consciousness and psychological disorders. The following semester, I took an education course focused on inclusive practices within the classroom. This course taught me a lot about the history of disability while training me to look at the world through a different perspective. Most people are not born disabled in fact they become disabled sometime in their life. Both classes sparked an interest in me that made me want to do further research on disorders. One disorder that I have always wanted to know more about is Down syndrome. Another reason why I wanted to research this topic was because my friend recently had a baby...show more content...

She said, "Emma likes to eat pureed food, but since she has started to work with a therapist we recently noticed that she wanted to eat a sandwich the other day, which might be a small milestone for her but for us it is really big."

Scattered throughout the narrative, the author provided references to what children and adults with disabilities have had to endure over the last centuries in order to give a better understanding of the political and social conceptualization of disability. At the time Sarah was born, 27 years ago, the term "Mongolian Idiot" or Mongoloids" was still used. I was shocked to learn that in the United States we sterilized people with intellectual disabilities until the 1970s. Positive eugenics involved encouraging people with desirable traits– high moral standing, intelligence, a strong work ethic– to have more babies. Negative eugenics involved keeping the undesirables from reproducing. "There was an assumption that if lazy and dimwitted people reproduced more quickly than the virtuous and hardworking one's society would soon be overrun by sloth, drunkenness, and poverty." By being submerged into the history of disability I was able to understand more about the negative stereotypes of people with disabilities, which is clearly an issue. I was also able to sympathize with Austin when he wrote, "My assumptions about disability were so ingrained, and unconscious,

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Down Syndrome As A Cognitive Disorder Essay

Down syndrome as a cognitive disorder

Down syndrome (DS) is relatively well known as a genetic disorder to the general public and children with this syndrome form one of the most readily identifiable groups of children with moderate to severe learning difficulties. It has been over 130 years since Langdon Down first described DS and 30 years since the presence of the defining extra copy of chromosome 21 was identified by Lejeune and his team of French geneticists. Delay in the development of cognitive capacities is a primary consequence of Down syndrome. Despite such cognitive delay, however, young children with Down syndrome can be empathic, affectionate and engaging (Wishart & Pitcairn, 2000).

What is Down Syndrome Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that is typically caused when a baby is conceived with 47 chromosomes instead of the normal 46. Starting in the womb, this additional genetic material alters the course of the child's development. The most common form of Down syndrome, Trisomy 21, occurs when a child is born with a full three copies of the 21st chromosome, rather than the normal two. In rare cases, Down syndrome is caused by other chromosomal arrangements. Children with Down syndrome typically have intellectual disabilities, hypotonia (low muscle tone) and characteristic facial features, such as upward slanted eyes and a flattened nasal bridge. Except Get

Persuasive Essay On Down Syndrome

Down syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder also known as trisomy 21, that develops when there is an extra chromosome inside the cells of a person. Normally a person has 46 chromosomes so when a developing infant has an extra chromosome 21 they will have 47 chromosomes in a cell causing them to develop Down syndrome. Although you might think it is hereditary Down syndrome is not passed down from parent to baby nor do we know why it happens, it occurs at conception and there is no cure for it nor does it go away.

Down syndrome is the most common chromosome disorder in the world. One out of 700–900 babies will be born worldwide will have Down syndrome, although the average is slightly lower in Australia for an unknown reason. Down syndrome...show more content... 2015. Down syndrome – Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome. [Accessed 27 April 2015].

Down Syndrome: Get Facts on this Congenital Disorder. 2015. Down Syndrome: Get Facts on this Congenital Disorder. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.emedicinehealth.com/down_syndrome/article_em.htm. [Accessed 27 April 2015].

Prenatal diagnosis – Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. 2015. Prenatal diagnosis– Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia. [ONLINE] Available at:http: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prenatal_diagnosis. [Accessed 27 April 2015].

What are common treatments for Down syndrome? . 2015. What are common treatments for Down syndrome?. [ONLINE] Available at: https:/ /www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/Pages/treatments.aspx. [Accessed 29 April 2015].

Genetic engineering – Future. 2015. Genetic engineering – Future. [ONLINE] Available at: http://future.wikia.com/wiki/Genetic_engineering. [Accessed 02 May 2015].

Genetic Engineering. 2015. Genetic Engineering. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/gen–engr.html. [Accessed 02 May

To all parents, a newborn child is a small miracle, perfect and beautiful in every way. However, in many situations the parents of these miracles learn that their children are "not normal." Every year 6,000 parents across the country are informed that their child has a genetic disorder called Down Syndrome ("National Down Syndrome Society," n.d.). Within a matter of minutes parents learn that children with Down Syndrome can also have a variety of other conditions and disorders, will not develop in the same way that other children do, and may even have a shorter life span. However, children with Down Syndrome are happy–go–lucky children with a kind disposition and a wonderful personality. Also known as Trisomy 21, Down Syndrome does not...show more content... However, the easily spotted physical characteristics are not the only symptoms of Down Syndrome; the symptoms and medical conditions have the potential to go much deeper. Cognitive developmental delays are extremely common in those who have Down Syndrome. This means that these children are often slower to learn, be it educational knowledge from school or even learning to walk and talk. As children, those with Down Syndrome develop more slowly and will often hit major milestones after other children. In addition, many have shorter attention spans and will behave impulsively.

(http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/Pages/symptoms.aspx) When listing all of the symptoms it is easy to believe that those with Down Syndrome are entirely different than those without the syndrome and cannot function within the normal society. However, this is not true at all. These individuals may appear slightly different, and many people expect that they have severe cognitive disabilities. However, Down Syndrome is usually only present with mild cognitive differences and those with the syndrome can live lives that are just as beneficial as those without. These people are human beings as well, capable of relationships, being educated, holding jobs, and acting as normal, playful, and happy children and adults. Down Syndrome is simply a difference in

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Research Paper On Down Syndrome

Down Syndrome

They used to be called "Mongoloids," an ethnic insult coined by John Langdon Down, an English physician during the nineteenth century. But now they are known as people, individuals with a condition known as Down syndrome. (3). It wasn't until the 1960s that Jerome Lejeune and Patricia Jacobs discovered the cause of Down syndrome (also called trisomy 21). But with technological advancements within the scientific community, more and more information has been gathered about the condition that affects about one in every one thousand children born around the world. (4).

Research shows that Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by certain chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomes within cells are composed of...show more content... This is where the name trisomy 21 originates. (5).

The extra chromosome in trisomy 21 results in overexpression of the genes. Although overexpression is not noticeable in many genes, the genes that are involved in Down syndrome seem to be quite different. In fact, not even all of the genes in the 21st chromosome need to be tripled to result in Down syndrome. There are approximately 250 genes in the 21st chromosome, and only 20 to 50 genes need to be involved in the nondisjunction to cause the effects of trisomy 21. The small area within the cell where genes need to be to cause Down syndrome is called the Critical Region. (3).

There are several genes that researchers believe might be involved in causing Down syndrome. Overexpression in genes such as CAF1A, Cystathione Beta Synthase (CBS), and GART might be harmful to DNA synthesis and repair. COL6A1 overexpression may cause heart defects, and CRYA1 overexpression might aid in the development of cataracts. Overexpression of ETS2 may be the cause of leukemia and skeletal abnormalities, while the DRYK overexpression could possibly result in mental retardation. Premature aging and decreased function of the immune system may be caused by the overexpression of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD1). It is important to note, however, that despite many hypotheses and speculations, no gene has been conclusively linked to

Down Syndrome is a chromosomal condition related to chromosome 21. It affects 1 in 800 to 1 in 1000 born infants. People who have Down Syndrome have learning difficulties, mental retardation, a different facial appearance, and poor muscle tone (hypotonia) in infancy. Individuals with Down Syndrome also have an increased risk for having heart defects, digestive problems such as "gastroesophageal reflux or celiac disease", and hearing loss. Some people who have Down Syndrome have "low activity of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)" – an organ in the lower neck that produces hormones. Down Syndrome can be diagnosed in infancy based on the characteristic medical findings. When Down Syndrome is assumed in a person, a genetic test called a...show more content...

When there is a heart defect currently in an infant with Down syndrome, the infant is referred to a "pediatric cardiologist" for medical attention or to a "pediatric cardiac surgeon for early surgical repair." Some infants with Down Syndrome have difficulties with swallowing or they may have blockages in their bowels. Surgery can be performed to correct these problems. After they are corrected, they usually cause no further health issues. Children with Down syndrome may have "frequent colds and sinus and ear infections." These are treated early and aggressively to prevent hearing loss and chronic infections. Low thyroid levels are more common in infants who have Down syndrome. It is recommended that "thyroid level testing" be performed at least yearly. Some infants with Down syndrome have eye problems such as cataracts (cloudy lenses) or crossed eyes (strabismus). Surgery can help with these problems. Sucking problems related to low muscle tone or heart problems may make breast feeding difficult to begin with. "Occupational therapists, speech therapists, breast feeding consultants and support groups usually have exact sources for the mothers of infants with Down syndrome." Intelligence in individuals with Down syndrome ranges from low normal to very slow to learn. At birth it is not possible to tell the level of intelligence a baby with Down syndrome will have. All areas of development including "motor

Down Syndrome

CHAPTER 1: THE PROBLEM

A. INTRODUCTION

Having a Down syndrome is such a difficult situation for an individual to have. They have slow physical and mental capabilities that lead them to discrimination. Physical features of having a Down syndrome. Including flattening of the head; slanting of the eyelids; a gap between the first and the second toes; a depressed nasal bridge; relatively small ears, mouth, hands and feet; short stature; decreased muscle tone and loose ligaments among others. Not every child with Down syndrome has all of these characteristics and some may have only a few. But other characteristic, if not appropriately can be including hearing deficits, congenital disease, eye abnormalities,...show more content...

HISTORY English Physician John Langdon Down first characterized Down syndrome as a distinct form of Mental disability in 1862, and in more widely published report in 1866.[9] Due to his perception that children with Down syndrome shared physical facial similarities with those of Blumenbach is Mongolian race. Down used the term mongoloid derived from prevailing ethical theory.[10] By the 20th century Down syndrome had become the most recognizable form of mental disability. Most individuals with Down syndrome were institution zed, few of the associated medical problem were treated , and most died in infancy or early adult life. With the rise of the eugenics movement, 33 of the United States and several countries began programs of force sterilizations of individuals with Down syndrome and comparable degrees of disability. The ultimate expression of this type of public policy was ''action 7–4'' in Nazi Germany , a program of systematic murder court challenges , scientific advances and public revulsion led to discontinuation or repeal of such sterilization programs during decades after World War Until the middle of 20th century, the causes of Down syndrome remained unknown. However, the presence in all races, the association with older maternal age, and he rarity of recurrence had been noticed. Standard medical text assumed it was caused by a combination of inheritable factor which had not been

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Informative Speech On Down Syndrome

Good morning/afternoon aspiring doctors. Bob and Betty are willing to start a family after achieving much success in their careers. Betty has conceived naturally, however, she is in her 40's and is concerned about the risks her child faces due to her age. There are many risks associated with parental–age; including the increased likelihood of being pregnant with multiples, high blood pressure, hypertension and gestational diabetes. Consequently, these risks can cause the premature delivery of a baby with a low–birth weight (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 2015; March of Dimes 2017; Evidence Based Birth 2017). Women aged 40 are also susceptible to have a 51% chance of a spontaneous miscarriage and are two and–a–half times as likely to have a stillborn baby (Birth Injury Justice.org 2017); compared to a 22 year old with 8.7% (Birth Injury Justice.org 2017; Evidence Based Birth 2017). The miscarriage rates are higher in older women as they occur within the half of the first trimester due to genetic problems including Down syndrome; as 1 in 53 at the age of 40 have a baby with a genetic disorder, compared to 1 in 1064 at 25 (Evidence Based Birth 2017).

The increased risk of Down syndrome in 40 year old women is believed to be caused by errors which can crop up in the eggs' genetic material as they age (Down–Syndrome Screening: A One–parent test for a Two–parent; The Atlantic 2017). Normally, there are 46 chromosomes in a cell; 23 from the egg and the Get more content

Argumentative Essay On Down Syndrome

Many people think that a person who has Down syndrome doesn't live a normal life. Although they do have to work harder at some things, they can do most things that everyone else can do. Some have more issues than others. People with Down syndrome face obstacles such as physical and behavioral abnormalities, health issues, working, and social development skills, but there are different ways we can help. Down syndrome was named after John Langdon Down, who was the first person to discover Down syndrome. In the earlier years it was called Mongolism, which is no longer used because it is offensive to the Mongolians. James N. Parker and Philip M. Parker state "Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder caused by an error in cell division that results in the presence of an additional third chromosome 21 or 'trisomy 21'" (10). There are different types of Down Syndrome according to the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), there is Trisomy 21, Mosaicism, and Translocation (What is Down syndrome?). There is no way to prevent having a baby with Down syndrome although chances increase as the woman gets older. The NDSS says, "A 35–year–old woman has about a 1 in 350 chance of conceiving a child with Down syndrome, and this chance increases gradually to 1 in 100 by age 40" (What is Down syndrome?). Although the risk is greater for older women, it is still possible to have a child with Down syndrome at a younger age. Down syndrome causes physical and behavioral abnormalities. Physical Get more content

Down Syndrome: A Genetic Disease

Down Syndrome, also known a Trisomy 21, is the most common cause of Mental deficiency that occurs from childbirth. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that occurs when there is an extra chromosome Present. The presence of an extra chromosome causes this genetic disorder because chromosomes contain all of our genetic information and when this information is disrupted during cell division for example, when one is conceived with an added chromosome this causes many problems with the coding of the DNA. down syndrome occurs during cell division in early fetal stages. usually one inherits 23 chromosomes from each parent but in some cases people inherit an extra chromosome and receive three sets of chromosome 21, this is when the genetic disorder...show more content...

Down syndrome also affects physical growth of the body. Down syndrome has many unique characteristics, the most notable ones are short stature, stubby fingers and toes, a small mouth, wide rounded face, and a large tongue that protrudes that can make speech difficult for individuals. Other not as notable characteristics of down syndrome are the mental problems such as learning disabilities, delayed language, a mental age of 8 or 9 throughout their lives, and behavioral problems. There are many health problems that come with the extra set of chromosome as well including heart defects, obesity, high risk of leukemia and testicular cancer, risk of alzheimer's disease, and many different types of psychiatric disorder like attention deficit disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and some are on the autism spectrum as well. One of the most notable characteristic that seems to be extremely common in adults with Down Syndrome is sleep problems such as sleep apnea and behavioral sleep disturbances. One reason as to why many adults with down syndrome seem to have sleep problems is because of other health problems linked with down syndrome like obesity which can cause sleep apnea. Research also shows a common thread with adults with down syndrome who have mental illnesses

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Down Syndrome Case Study

Down syndrome (DS) is a chromosomal problem due to abnormalities on the 21st set of chromosomes, which causes delayed development in functioning and shorter life expectancy (Choi, Van Riper & Thoyre, 2012; Crawford & Dearmun, 2016). The most common features of DS are physical appearance and mental retardation (Crawford & Dearmun, 2016). People with DS have increased risks of developing various comorbidities, for example, around 50% of individuals with DS have the risk of experiencing congenital heart defects (Dixon, 2008). DS can be screened through first and second–trimester screening, also combined with ultrasound markers, if the estimated risk is above the normal range, prenatal diagnostic tests are considered (de Jong et al., 2010)....show more content...

These perspectives may be caused by the negative social context to people with congenital impairments (Gaille & Viot, 2013). And it brings an ethical issue: do people with DS are unable to live autonomously and increase family burdens due to impairments, or does the society cause this situation and further influence parents' decision–making process (Lawson & Walls–Ingram, 2010). It is undeniable that most DS population experience learning and intellectual difficulties, therefore, they tend to have weak expressive language skills, resulting in communication barriers, further limiting their social participation (Deckers, Zaalen, Stoep, Balkom & Verhoeven, 2016). However, Shakespeare (1998) demonstrated that impairment is a biological problem, whereas disability is created by social barriers, which makes people with disabilities face problems caused by discrimination and stigma rather than impairment. Many people with DS reported that they are prone to face difficulties due to negative social attitudes and barriers rather than congenital biological impairment (Alderson, 2001). Additionally, evidence suggested that the increased use of prenatal testing decreases 45% of births of children with DS (Maxwell, Bower & O'Leary, 2015). It eventually decreases the social acceptance of people with DS and reduces social support for them (Kellogg, Slattery, Hudgins & Ormond, 2014). The fewer support Get more content

Down Syndrome Research Paper

Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder where an abnormality in cell division results in a copy of chromosome 21. This is also known as trisomy 21. Although the cause of the extra chromosome is still unknown, maternal age is the only possible thing to have been linked to having a child with Down Syndrome. Physical abnormalities of Down Syndrome may include, decreased muscle tone, flattened facial profile, upward slanting eyes, and a short neck. Often, children with Down Syndrome develop slower than the development of a child without the disorder. Intellectual abnormalities of Down Syndrome include a shortened attention span, poor judgment, impulsive behavior, slow learning, and delayed language /speech development. Approximately 1 in every 700 Get