Downs Syndrome Essay Research Paper IntroductionIn the

Downs Syndrome Essay, Research Paper

IntroductionIn the United States about one in every 1000 live births is a child with Downs Syndrome. Downs Syndrome affects all races and genders. It is caused by extra genetic material on the twenty-first chromosome. There are three different types of Downs Syndrome known to man today. The first case of reported was in the late 1950.s, but the condition was identified in the late 1960.s. In most cases it is simple to identify an individual with Downs Syndrome. In most cases the facial features give it away, but today with new technology it is easy to make these features less noticeable. While there is no .cure. for Downs Syndrome, there are treatments that can help patient.s live full and happy lives. These treatments are not proven to be one hundred percent affective, but they have helped many patients to live happier, more comfortable lives. The Medical problems are involved with Downs Syndrome are more severe in Downs then they would be in that of a healthy child.

What is Downs Syndrome.Named for a British Doctor, John Langdon Down, who first clinically identified the condition in 1866, Downs Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by extra genetic genes from the twenty-first chromosome(figure 1). It is unknown what causes the extra chromosome, but tit produces extra proteins, and when the extra chromosome is present the production of the proteins are doubled and causes the typical Downs Syndrome features. (.The Story of Downs Syndrome.)

What are the Different Types of Downs Syndrome. Figure 2

Downs Syndrome, sometimes refereed to as DS or Downs, can occur in three different forms, Trisomy 21 (figure 2), Translocation, and Mosiac. The most common of the three, Trisomy 21, affecting 95 percent of patients with Downs Syndrome is caused by an extra 21st chromosome. Usually a person has twenty-three pairs of chromosomes, each made up of genes, but in Trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) the person has three number 21 chromosomes insteadad of two. This occurs when the formation of the egg or sperm a double-dose of the chromosome goes to the egg or sperm. Usually when the egg or sperm are forming they split so that only one chromosome is in the egg or sperm, but in trisomy 21 they don.t split causing the individual to have more chromosomes then they need.

In the second form, translocation, which occurs in about three or four percent of Downs cases. In this form an extra part of chromosome number 21 joins with another chromosome. In half of Downs cases with translocation one of the parents. caries an extra 21st chromosome in a balanced or hidden form.

In the third form, mosaic, the individual with Downs has an extra 21st chromosome only in some of the cells. This however, is extremely rare and only affects about 2% of the Downs cases.

What are the odds of having a child with Downs Syndrome.The odds of having a child with DS are various. Anywhere from 1 in 800 live births to 1 in 1100 live births. There is no greater chance of having a child with Downs associated with particular race, culture or geographic region. In recent studies, however, it has been proven that most Downs Syndrome cases are associated to a mother.s age. The odds of having a child with Downs Syndrome increases as the age of the mother increases in which she reproduces. A mother who is 25 has about a 1 in 1400, 35 is a 1 in 350, but as the mother reaches 40 her chances increase to about 1 in every 100 live births. Another factor is if the parent already has Trisomy 21 it is 1 in 100 at any age.

What is the fertility rate in Downs Syndrome.The chances of a woman with Downs Syndrome becoming pregnant is about 50%, however, most males are sterile and can.t have children. In history there is one story of a man producing a pregnancy and the mother had Downs Syndrome as well. The Pregnancy miscarried about halfway through.

What are some of the treatments for downs.While Downs Syndrome can.t be cured or outgrown in any way providing good medical care can modify the affects. None of the following treatments have been proven 100% affective, many people have said that they help them a little, but some also belief that this is because they have a positive outlook because there may be some hope. Some treatments include thyroid, hormone, pituitary extract, glutimic acid, dimthyl sulfoxide, sica cell therapy, five hydroxythptophan, various vitamin and mineral therapies, and most recently, nootropic drugs like piracetam. The most dangerous out of all these treatments is the sicca cell therapy. The vitamin and mineral therapies can help to regulate a lot of body functions and that is why it is most commonly used.

Can Downs Syndrome patients be educated.With the right education and attention of parental figures the individual with Downs Syndrome can learn to do things such as read. Teaching them however takes a great amount of patience. Downs carries delays such as in learning areas. Many people have learned to walk, talk, swim, ride a bike, read and live lives as most other children do. The earlier a child is taught the better the chance of a child learning to do things such as read. Adults can do these things too, but it will most likely take longer and require a greater amount of time and patience.

What are Commom characteristics or features linked to downs.Some of the most Commom features of an individual wi