Genetic Disorder: Down Syndrome

#11


The genetic disorder Down Syndrome (DS) is a condition which delays a child's development both mentally and physically. This condition is rare, yet not, as it affects every 1 in 800 babies. Some children with DS are both very sick and need alot of attention and medical care, where others can live healthy lives.

Are parents to blame for their child's defect? This question can haunt parents all over the world. The answer is no. DS can not be prevented, although it can be detected before a child is even born. A child can be treated with DS medically, and there are also many community help programs and centres to help families with children bearing this disorder.

Some might ask, what is ultimately the cause of Down Syndrome? Normally, when a child is concepted, it inherits both genetic material from the mother and the father. The normal child will inherit a total of 46 chromosomes; 23 from the mother, and 23 from the father. But for some reason, a child with down syndrome will inherit an extra chromosome giving that child a total of 47 chromosomes. The physical appearance and developmental delays are caused by this extra chromosome.

There is no possible ways of controlling the genetic make up of a baby. Scientists have discovered that women over 35 do have a higher risk of having a child with down syndrome. Here are the age and risk factors of having a child with DS:
Age 30 - 1 in 900 chance
Age 35 - 1 in 350 chance
Age 40 - 1 in 100 chance

The physical features of children with down syndrome include upward slant to the eyes, flat facial profiles, protruding tongues, and small ears. Hypotonia (Low muscle tone) is a characteristic in babies that make them seem "floppy". This usually improves over time, but sitting up, crawling, and walking, takes longer to accomplish from children with DS. For infants, DS may cause feeding problems and digestive complications. Older kids and toddlers may have troubles in speech and self-care skills like feeding, dressing, and potty training. DS children also have different learning standards. It may take them alot longer to learn something and have to be persistant with the same thing over and over.

Children with DS are also born with different medical problems. Almost half of all children born with down syndrome will have a congenital heart defect. DS children are also at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, (a serious condition that can lead to irreversible damage to the lungs). Also, approximately half of the children have hearing and sight problems. They also suffer from thyroid problems, seizures, respiratory problems, obesity, and are at a higher risk of getting childhood leukemia.

This disorder is found all over the world. It is a very challenging problem we must deal with and help to find a solution to. Although people with Down Syndrome are different, they are still people and have feelings just like everyone else. Treating people the way you want to be treated, is always the best option.