What is the genetic cause?
Down Syndrome is caused when homologous chromosomes don’t separate in Meiosis 1 or 2. The egg or sperm cell keeps both copies of #21 chromosome instead of the usual 1 copy. This results in the baby having 3 copies of #21 chromosome. This is called a trisomy; you will often hear Down Syndrome be referred to as trisomy 21. The extra chromosome causes problems with the way the body and brain develop. Down Syndrome is also referred to as Down’s Syndrome but mainly in The United Kingdom. Down syndrome is the most common single cause of human birth defects.
How is this genetic disease inherited?
Down Syndrome isn’t a disease that can be carried from generation to can do to prevent the syndrome or be tested for it before the offspring is conceived. Scientists are researching ways to prevent Down Syndrome from occurring and what causes the trisomy to occur. They have discovered that the older the mother is, the more likely to have a baby with Down Syndrome, though they don’t know what the link is between the two factors.
What are the symptoms?
Common physical symptoms are: ▪ Decreased muscle tone at birth ▪ Excess skin on the neck ▪ Flattened nose ▪ Separated joints between the bones of the skull ▪ Single crease in the palm of the hand ▪ Small ears ▪ Small mouth ▪ Upward slanting eyes ▪ Wide, short hands with short fingers ▪ White spots on the colored part of the eye (Brush field spots)
The physical and growing development is often very much slower than others without the disease. Individuals with Down Syndrome usually never reach their full adult height. Children with Down Syndrome also commonly have slower mental and social development. They often have symptoms and behavior like slow learning, impulsive behavior and poor judgment.
Individuals with Down’s Syndrome also are very prone to many medical conditions like: ▪ Birth