By: Lily Simpson 4 th hour

By: Lily Simpson

4th hour

• Down Syndrome

•Mongolism

Children who are born from mothers of an older age are more likely to get down syndrome than those who are born of younger mothers. There is no specific gender that is more likely to get this disorder. Their chances of getting it are equal.

Developmental delay

Heart disease

Speech and walking delays

Short in stature

Overweight

Flat face, small broad nose, abnormally shaped ears, a large tongue, and upward slanting eyes.

It affects their heart and causes them to have an overlarge heart, and congenital heart disease. They can also have thryoid problems, and immune system problems.

This disorder is not necessarily fatal, but it usually reduces a person’s life span.15% of all children born with Trisomy 21 (down syndrome) will die before they’re 1 years old. 35% will die before the age of 50, and the other 50% will most likely die between 55 and 65 years old.

Yes, you can be tested for Down Syndrome. Babies are usually tested while they’re still inside the womb. There are 2 different types of prenatal tests that are used to detect this disorder. They are screening and diagnostic testing. Screening tests estimate the risk that a fetus has of getting this disorder. Diagnostic tests can tell if the fetus actually has this disorder. Diagnostic tests are about 99% accurate in testing Down Syndrome. If it is not tested in the womb however, the doctors can usually tell as soon as the baby is born.

There is no cure for Down Syndrome. However, there are ways to make the disorder less severe. For example…

Medical treatments

Medication

Surgical treatments

Physical and speech therapy

Other types of support or support groups

There are many different support groups for those with Down Syndrome, as well as their families. An example is NADS (national association for down syndrome) It’s a support group in the Chicago land area and can do wonderful things for those with Down Syndrome. There are also many other support groups throughout the country.

Down Syndrome affects the 21st chromosome. That means the person has 3 copies of chromosome 21 instead of the usual 2 copies. Therefore they have a total of 47 chromosomes, even though the normal number is 46.

Down Syndrome is not a recessive or dominant trait. It is autosomal, and does not follow any pattern of inheritance.

lifeissues.com

Kidshealth.org

Cdadc.com

Emedtv.com

About.com

Downsyndrome.com