Down_Syndrome

= =

Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) By: B.C.  = =

Trisomy 21 (also known as Down Syndrome) is a disorder that is caused by a meiotic nondisjunction event within the chromosomes while the cell is undergoing meiosis. The nondisjunction is in chromosome 21, and it produces an extra copy of said chromosome. This provides the individual with a duplicate copy of the 21st chromosome.

Symptoms There is a plethora of symptoms, ranging from severe to mild, contracted by victims of Down Syndrome. Both mentality and physical properties of the victim are affected when Down Syndrome is diagnosed. People who have Down Syndrome have been known to be diagnosed with the following symptoms:
 * 1) Protruding Tongue
 * 2) Single Palmar Fold
 * 3) Severe Mental Retardation
 * 4) IQ of 35-50
 * 5) Excessive space between large toe and second toe

Diagnosis Down syndrome is typically diagnosed either through screening or diagnostic testing. There are two types of screening available for individuals with a posibility of contracting down syndrome: Expanded AFP screening and NT screening. Through diagnostic testing, amniocentesis, CVS sampling, and ultrasound, down syndrome can also be diagnosed.

== Prognosis Patients known to have Down Syndrome generally have a shortened life expectancy. However, the life expectancy for people with Down Syndrome has increased substantially. Back in 1929, the life expectancy was about 9 years. Today, it is no rarity for a patient to live to 50 years of age and beyond.

Treatment There are two stages of treatment for patients with a diagnosed case of Down Syndrome: Initial treatment and Ongoing treatment. Initial treatment begins with the diagnosis, which requires a karyotype test. When confirmed positive, the patient will experience reoccuring checkups and various tests during the first month of treatment. Then, in ongoing treatment, the child will experience regular medical checkups, social and physical changes, and promoting independence from a team of health professionals. There is no vaccine or instantaneous cure for Down Syndrome.

Statistics
 * 1 out of 800 births produces a child with Down Syndrome
 * Less than 1 in 1000 births for women less than 30 produce children with Down Syndrome
 * Greatest risk is 1 in 25 for women over 45 years of age
 * 66-89% of Down Syndrome patients have hearing loss in at least one ear
 * 40-50% of Down Syndrome patients have congenital heart defects in the US
 * Down Syndrome patients have a 15-20x greater chance to contract leukemia
 * 80% of Down Syndrome cases occur in mothers under the age of 35 in the US
 * The risk is 1 in 400 births for women between the ages of 35 and 40 in the US
 * The risk is 1 in 110 for women over the age of 45 in the US

Famous Cases of Down Syndrome
 * Chris Burke- Famous Rock Star with his own Band
 * Jane Cameron- Sunshine Girl
 * Sujeet Desai- Accomplished pianist and saxophonist
 * Michael Johnson- Painter using watercolor, acrylics, and oil-based paints
 * Raymond Hu- Author of a biography, documentary, and a book.
 * Bernadette Resha- Actor and TV Broadcaster

Sources []

[][] [] [] []

Comments This is a very well organized project, the use of colored headings is a great way to keep the information in order - Cri-Du-Chat BW