Nicolette Laird

Period 3

Down Syndrome

• Also known as Trisomy 21• A person has 2 sets of

Chromosome 21•They have 47 Chromosomes instead of the normal 46•Creates problems with physical and mental development•Is not hereditary

What is Down Syndrome?

Normal Genotype Vs. Down Syndrome Genotype

Normal Genotype Down Syndrome Genotype

• The chances of having a child with Down Syndrome increases with age• 30 years of age: 1 in 900

chance of having a child with Down Syndrome

• 35 years of age: 1 in 350• 40 years of age: 1 in 100

Age Affects Down Syndrome

• Diagnosis occurs at birth or shortly thereafter

• Diagnosis is confirmed by a chromosome test• Karyotype: a test that

shows chromosomes grouped by size, number, and shape

Diagnosis

• Decreased muscle tone (hypotonia)

• Excess skin at the nape of the neck

• Flattened nose

• Single crease in the palm of the hand

• Small ears

• Small mouth

• Upward slanting eyes

• Don’t grow to full height

Physical Attributes

• Children have delayed mental and social development

• Learn and grasp topics at a slower pace than other children

• Lack of muscle tone makes it difficult to talk and use fine motor skills (holding a pencil or building block towers)

Learning

• Heart defects

• Loss of sight and hearing

• Underactive thyroid

• High blood pressure

• Intestinal problems

• Higher risk of childhood leukemia

• Respiratory disorders

Health Problems

• Currently no treatments for Down syndrome because it is a problem with the chromosomes

• Treatment works on controlling symptoms and any medical problems that occur from the defect• Regular checkups and screening• Medications for any medical problems

that might arise• Surgery• Counseling and support

Treatments

• Contact the National Down Syndrome Society about support groups

• Create a strong bond between you and the child

• Enroll the child in Early Intervention Services to help with movement and speech therapy

Helping a Child with Down Syndrome

• To help with delayed speech development, teach the child sign language so that the child can communicate

Additional Resources

•National Down Syndrome Society• http://www.ndss.org/

• National Association for Down Syndrome•www.nads.org/

•Mile High Down Syndrome Association•www.mhdsa.org

• http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/genetic/down_syndrome.html#

• http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/component/content/article/38-health/190-6-how-does-downs-syndrome-affect-development.html

• http://down-syndrome.emedtv.com/down-syndrome/causes-of-down-syndrome-p2.html

• http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/down-syndrome

• http://downsyndrome.com/down-syndrome-information/down-syndrome-education/

• http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001992/

• http://knol.google.com/k/-/-/BUxWT11X/wnmpHw/Trisomy%2021%20highlighted.tif

• http://10ka.edublogs.org/files/2008/08/chromosome2.jpg

• http://www.mychildwithoutlimits.org/images/1/Understand/Understand___Girl_with_Down_Syndrome.jpg

• http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00572/AmyKnowlton_572126e.jpg

Works Sited

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