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Down Syndrome. By: Camilla Powierza 2 nd period, Mrs. Bailey. History. First diagnosed 35 years ago after Dr. John Langdon Down from London, England. Caused by an extra chromosome, so it doesn’t affect just one nationality. Starts once a baby is born, and lasts until death.
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Down Syndrome By: Camilla Powierza 2nd period, Mrs. Bailey
History • First diagnosed 35 years ago after Dr. John Langdon Down from London, England. • Caused by an extra chromosome, so it doesn’t affect just one nationality. • Starts once a baby is born, and lasts until death. • Usually causes mental retardation.
Diagnosis • It is a genetic disorder. • Affects about one in every 1,000 babies that are born. • Older mothers have a bigger risk of having children with Down Syndrome. • Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. • Normally, humans have 46 chromosomes.
Incubation Period • Disease starts before birth, symptoms don’t appear until during the age of toddlers, where babies start learning. • Lasts until death.
Symptoms • Single transverse palmar crease (a single instead of a double crease across one or both palms) • An almond shape to the eyes • Shorter limbs & protruding tongue • Mental Retardation • higher risk for congenital heart defects, gastro esophageal reflux disease, recurrent ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid dysfunctions
Tests • Screening tests - estimate the risk that a fetus has Down Syndrome • Diagnostic tests - tell whether the fetus actually has the condition
Prevention & Cures • You can’t prevent babies from getting the disease. • Mothers can prevent having kids with Down Syndrome by having kids while young, and decrease the amount of drugs used during pregnancy. • There is NO cure. • But, antibiotics usually help children with DS reach adulthood.
Complications • Without treatment, the average life span for a person with Down Syndrome is 9 years. • Children born with Down Syndrome have poor muscle tone, and if not treated, can get a spinal cord compression. • But remember, there is NO cure!
¿ People Instrumental ? • Doctors can diagnose the disease when a child with Down Syndrome is born. • There is no cure!
Bibliography • http://library.thinkquest.org/3880/history.html • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome • World Book Encyclopedia, pg 316 • http://www.bgcdownsyndrome.org/about.cfm