Down Syndrome Essay Example For Students

Down Syndrome Essay Down Syndrome Essay is a birth defect caused by a genetic disorder that affects 350,000 people in the United States. It is caused by abnormalities in the genes and is not inherited, meaning that parents do not pass this onto their children. Genetics is the study of heredity or how certain traits are passed from parents to their children. Genes are the basic unit of heredity. Cells are the building blocks of your body and each one of us has more than 100 trillion cells. Our genes are located in chromosomes. Each cell in your body contains 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs. In a person with Down syndrome, there are 47 chromosomes. In 1956, a French researcher named Jerome Lejeune used a new powerful microscope to view human strands of DNA. DNA is what holds an individual persons genes. He studied these DNA strands and determined that there is an extra strand in chromosome 21, which is now called Trisomy 21 tri meaning three and somy for the word chromosome meaning three chromosomes. No one knows exactly what causes Down syndrome aside from it being genetic. Many years ago, this condition was known as mongolism or people that had it were called mongolian idiots. But in later years, Asian people as well as parents of these children protested these terms and in the 1960s the condition became known as Down syndrome in honor of the English doctor John Langdon Down. Who, in 1866, studied people with mental retardation and noted distinct physical features in them. Some of the physical features associated with Down syndrome are low muscle tone, many newborns appear as floppy and not toned, they have flat facial features especially a small nose with a flattened nasal bridge. Their eyes are slightly slanted with small skin folds at the inner corner. The have a short neck, small abnormal shaped ears, and an enlarged tongue that often tends to protrude making speech difficult to understand. Many people with Down syndrome suffer from a variety of health problems. The most common and significant symptom is mental retardation, which ranges from mild to moderate. People with Down syndrome suffer from congenital heart defects, which affect approximately 40-50% of these people. Their poor muscle tone makes much physical activity difficult. There are many hormonal problems, mainly thyroid disease. People with Down syndrome suffer from circulatory problems, respiratory ailments, and digestive problems. Nearly 70% of infants have some type of problem with their eyes. The most common eye problem is eye muscle imbalance, known as strabismus which causes the eyes to cross. About 50% afflicted with Down syndrome will suffer from hearing loss. Many of these problems can be serious or even life threatening but fortunately, most of them can be treated if they are detected early. Due to the nature of the disease and the many health issues involved, the life expectancy for a person with Down syndrome is only 50-65 years. Babies are born with poor muscle tone causing weak muscles and making it harder for them to develop motor skills such as using their arms and legs. It is harder for them to grasp objects, crawl, and walk. Children with Down syndrome have difficulty with their cognitive (thinking) abilities, problem solving, memory retention, social, language, and motor skills. This is one reason why people with Down syndrome become frustrated very easily. Although people with disabilities are becoming more acceptable in society, we still have a long way to go. Congress has passed many laws to help the disabled such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975, and the most well known, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. Facebook, Twitter and Other Social Websites EssayThyroid dysfunctions are more common in children with Down syndrome than in normal children. Between 15 and 20 per cent of children with Down syndrome have hypothyroidism. It is important to identify individuals with Down syndrome who have thyroid disorders since hypothyroidism may compromise normal central nervous system functioning. Skeletal problems have also been noted at a higher frequency in children with Down syndrome, including kneecap subluxation (incomplete or partial dislocation), hip dislocation, and atlantoaxial instability. The latter condition occurs when the first two neck bones are not well aligned because of the presence of loose ligaments. Approximately 15 percent of people with Down syndrome have atlantoaxial instability. Most of these individuals, however, do not have any symptoms, and only 1 -2 percent of individuals with Down syndrome have a serious neck problem that requires surgical intervention. Other important medical aspects in Down syndrome, including immunologic concerns, leukemia, Alzheimer disease, seizure disorders, sleep apnea and skin disorders, may require the attention of specialists in their respective fields. TreatmentAlthough many medications and various therapies have been touted as treatment for people with Down syndrome, there is no effective medical treatment available at the present time. However, recent advances in molecular biology make it feasible now to examine the genetic basis for Down syndrome. Once we identify the genes on chromosome 21 ( many already have been discovered) and once we find the mechanism of how these genes interfere with normal developmental sequences, and if one could counteract these specific actions, a rational approach to medical therapy could emerge. Today early intervention programs, pre-school nurseries, and integrated special education strategies have demonstrated that youngsters with Down syndrome can participate in many learning experiences which can positively influence their overall functioning. Research has shown that early intervention, environmental enrichment, and assistance to the families will result in progress that is usually not achieved by those infants who have not had such educational and stimulating experiences. Children with Down syndrome, like all children, can benefit from sensory stimulation, specific exercises involving gross and fine motor activities, and instruction in cognitive development. Also, preschool nurseries play an important role in the young childs life since exploring the environment beyond the home enables the child to participate in a broader world. Later, the school can give the child a foundation for life through the development of academic skills and physical as well as social abilities. Experiences provided in school assist the child in obtaining a feeling of self-respect and enjoyment. School should provide an opportunity for the child to engage in sharing relationships with others and help to prepare the child to become a productive citizen. Contrary to some views, all children can learn, and they will benefit from placement in a normalized setting with support as needed. During adoles cence, youngsters with Down syndrome should be exposed to prevocational training in order to learn good work habits and to engage in proper relationships with co-workers. Appropriate vocational counseling and job training will result in meaningful employment, and this, in turn, should lead to a feeling of self-worth and of making a contribution to society. PreventionsParents who have a child with Down syndrome have an increased risk of having another child with Down syndrome in future pregnancies. It is estimated that the risk of having another child with Down syndrome is about one in 100 in trisomy 21 and mosaicism. If, however, the child has translocation Down syndrome and if one of the parents is a translocation carrier, then the risk of recurrence increases markedly. The actual risk depends on the type of translocation and whether the translocation is carried by the father or the mother.