Down Syndrome (Gentics Blog)

Down syndrome, also called Trisomy 21, was named after John Langdon Down the British doctor who first described the condition in 1887. It wasn't until 1959, that an extra chromosome was identified as the cause. DS is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the process in which a child develops mentally and physically. This syndrome varies widely from child to child. It affects about 1 in every 800 babies. Some can go one with normal lives, but others are not so fortunate. Down syndrome can't be cured, or prevented. Although it can be detected before a child is born. Also the children may be treated to help some of the health problems that come along with the disease.

What is Down Syndrome?
Normal babies inherits genetic information from its parents in the from of 46 chromosome, half from mother (23 chromosomes) and half from the father (the other 23 chromosomes). But with down syndrome the child gets an extra chromosome 21, making a total of 47. It might seem small and like it should make a difference, but it does. This little insufficiency causes the delays in the child. The child could begin to become associated with medical problems such as: congenital heart defects, pulmonary hypertension, and also develop problems with their hearing and sight. Other medical conditions that may occur more frequently in kids with the illness include thyroid problems, intestinal abnormalities, seizure disorders, respiratory problems, obesity, and increased susceptibility to infection. The good thing is many of the follow are treatable.

Vocabulary:
1.syndrome - a group of symptoms that consistently occur together or a condition characterized by a set of associated symptoms
2.insufficiency - the condition of being insufficient
3.Susceptibility - the state or fact of being likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing