Down syndrom

Essay by gghettofabJunior High, 8th grade September 2004

download word file, 2 pages 3.0

Down Syndrom Essay

Name of condition: Down Syndrom The word syndrome means a collection of signs or characteristics. The name Down comes from the doctor, John Langdon Down, who first described the condition in 1866. There are more differences between people with Down's syndrome than there are similarities. They will have many of their families' distinctive characteristics and will therefore resemble their brothers and sisters. As well as these individual characteristics however, they will have physical features shared by others with Down's syndrome. They will also have learning difficulties. This means they have greater difficulty learning than the majority of people the same age. People with the Down's syndrome often look a little different and are in general less able than the population as a whole. Down's syndrome is not a disease, so it is inaccurate to say people suffer from it or that it can be treated.

People with Down's syndrome used to be described as mentally handicapped. Mental handicap is associated with demeaning terms such as "mental", "backward", "subnormal" and suggest an old fashioned image of being incapable and dependent. It can lead to confusion with mental illness. For every 1,000 babies born one will have Down's sy

ferent regions, are not available. It is only in the last few years that the number of babies born with Down's syndrome has been accurately recorded. In 1959 Professor Lejeune proved that Down's syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. The body consists of millions of cells which are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Every cell contains a number of chromosomes. The person with Down's syndrome has an extra chromosome 21, making 47 in all. This results in a disruption to the growth of the developing baby. This...