Down syndrome

Cause of the disease- -extra chromosomes which alters course of development

-80% of children with Down syndrome are born to women under 35

-5% cause is traced to the father

Facts about the disease-

-one in 691 babies are born with the disease

-Down syndrome is the most common genetic condition

-400,000 Americans have this disease

-this disease is not related to nationality, ethnicity or religion.

Symptoms-

-decreased or poor muscle tone

-short neck

- excess skin on the back of the neck

-flattened nose

-small head,ears,& mouth

-upward slanting eyes

-impulsive behavior

-slow learning

Testing & screening-

- blood tests

-ultrasounds to look for nuchal translucency

-amniocentesis to analyze fetal chromosomes

-cordocentesis is when blood from vein or umbilical cord is examined for chromosomal defects

Treatments-

-speech therapist which helps people improve their communication skills,teaches them sign language, and breast feed some of the babies because it improves muscle strength Used to talk

-physical therapist which helps with exercises to build skills, increase strength, and to improve posture and balance

- emotional and behavioral therapies to find responses desirable and to deal with undesirable behaviors and to deal with emotions

Other facts-

-chillen with Down syndrome can go to collage

-there are famous enough people with Down syndrome