A SYNDROME AFFECTING MANY

A SYNDROME AFFECTING MANY

A Syndrome Affecting Many

University of Phoenix

Monday, September 17, 2007

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Abstract

Down's Syndrome is a situation in were a child has extra genetic material caused by the triplication of the 21st chromosome. It affects 1 in every 800 babies born.

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A Syndrome Affecting Many

Down's Syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder that includes a combination of birth defects, including some degree of mental retardation, characteristics facial features, heart defects, visual and hearing impairment, and other health problems. DS was first noticed by a physician named John Longdon Down, who was a superintendent of an asylum for children with mental retardation. Down noticed that many of the children had certain physical traits - traits that now are associated with DS. Down did not know what caused DS; it was not till 1959 when Jerome Lejeune and Patricia Jacobs, working separately first determined the cause to be a genetic disorder (University of Virginia, 2007).

Down Syndrome Foundation

Silencing of the FMR1 gene in Fragile X syndrome. ...

A Karyotype of a person who has this genetic disor...

Children who have this syndrome have characteristics such as slanted eyes and small ears that fold over slightly at the top. Children with DS have small mouths, making the tongue appear large. Children or adults with this trait are often short and have unusual looseness of the joints. Children with DS can usually do most things that any young child can do, such as walking, talking, dressing, and being toilet trained, but they tend to do things later than other children. Special programs are offered in order to develop skills that will be of use for students ranging from preschool to high school with this disability. There are also work programs allowing adults with the disorder to maintain regular jobs (University of Virginia, 2007).

At the moment there is no cure for DS. Physicians are not...