What is Down Syndrome?
Special Guest Article by Katherine Clarke.
Those with special needs are all around and require not only extra care, but also understanding.
So What is Down syndrome? Down Syndrome is one of the most common genetic birth defects and is a unique condition that involves some level of mental disability in addition to physical characteristics and long-term health issues.
More than 1,000 newborns are born in the United States with Down Syndrome each year. This genetic defect is much more common than people think and increased education regarding this condition is long overdue.
Dealing with a child suffering from Down Syndrome can be extremely challenging, but being armed with knowledge can be invaluable.
Most Common Type of Down Syndrome.
There are different types of Down Syndrome, but the most common type of this genetic condition is often referred to as “Trisomy 21.” The number 21 in this name is in reference to the 21st chromosome having 3 copies. This condition does have an impact on lifespan, but not as much as you might expect. Many of those with Down Syndrome can live to the age of 55 and even longer in some cases.
What Causes Down Syndrome?
Since this is a genetic disorder, it involves the human body at the cellular level. Normal cells in the human body have 23 pairs of chromosomes. All of these chromosomes are what impacts the characteristics that are inherited. Half of the chromosome pairs are received from the mother and the other half are obtained from the father. However, those with Down Syndrome have a chromosomal error. This means that they have repeating chromosomes.
The exact cause of this chromosomal error is not completely understood. There does seem to be some type of connection between the age of the mother and the occurrence of Down Syndrome in the child. For example, a 25 year old woman has a one in 1,250 risk of having a child with Down Syndrome, but a 35 year old woman has a one in 378 risk. Although age does seem to be a factor, it is not determined to be the sole cause.
Down Syndrome – Symptoms.
The features and symptoms of Down Syndrome are very vast and not every case of this genetic condition is the same. Physical features of Down Syndrome include short stature, low muscular tone, disproportioned arms and legs, small ears and slanted eyes. Health problems that are symptoms of this condition include intellectual disability, heart defects, celiac disease, respiratory problems and depression.
Down Syndrome is very common, but universal understanding and awareness is incredibly poor. There needs to be a much greater level of awareness throughout the world, so that people with Down Syndrome can have adequate support and understanding.
By Katherine Clarke.
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